BUT  THE  EYE  CANNOT  PLAY  THE  ROGUE. 


t i>_j2 %S- 


EXTENSIVE  VIEW  OF  THE  CENTRAL  FLOWERY  NATION. 


% 

A 

A 


MISCELLANEOUS 

REMARKS 


UPON  THE 


GOVERNMENT,  HISTORY,  RELIGIONS,  LITER- 
ATURE, AGRICULTURE,  ARTS,  TRADES, 
MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS  OF  THE 


CHINESE: 


AS  SUGGESTED  BY  AN 

EXAMINATION  OF  THE  ARTICLES 

COMPRISING  THE 


CHINESE 


% 


mm 


BY  I0HN  R.  PETERS,  JR. 


BOSTON: 

1 84  7. 

EASTBURN’S  PRESS. 


WORDS  MAY  DECEIVE 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  by 
John  R.  Peters,  Jr., 

(For  the  Proprietors  of  the  Chinese  Museum,)  in  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the 
District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Within  a few  years  past,  attention  has  been  partic- 
ularly directed  towards  China,  by  her  war  with  Eng- 
land, and  since  the  conclusion  of  that  war,  the  United 
States  and  other  nations  have  hastened  to  make  treat- 
ies with  the  Celestial  Empire,  by  which,  to  put  them- 
selves on  a footing  with  the  most  favored.  The  zeal 
and  enterprise  of  individuals  have  also  been  awaken- 
ed. Christian  communities  are  adding  to  the  number 
of  their  Missionaries  among  this  nation  of  idolaters, 
and  merchants  are  flocking  to  the  shores  of  China  in 
pursuit  of  gain.  Many  excellent  works  have  been 
written  on  China,  but  in  this  reading  age,  books,  peri- 
odicals and  newspapers  have  become  so  multiplied, 
that  sight,  as  well  as  description  is  necessary  to  make 
a lasting  impression  upon  the  mind.  As  information 
is  now  eagerly  sought  after,  concerning  China  and  its 
hundreds  of  millions  of  inhabitants,  this  collection  and 
the  accompanying  work  have  been  made  to  furnish  it. 
The  collection  was  formed  without  reference  to  labor 
or  expense,  and  with  the  aid  of  Chinese,  and  of  the 
American  Missionaries,  who  have  resided  a long  time 
in  the  country,  and  who  are  well  acquainted  with  the 
language,  manners  and  customs  of  this  curious  people. 


4 


In  collecting  the  materials  for  this  book,  the  best 
works  on  the  subject  have  been  consulted,  and  in  most 
instances  the  information  derived  from  them  is  pre- 
sented in  a condensed  form.  Among  the  works  used 
may  be  mentioned  the  Chinese  Repository,  Dr.  Bridg- 
man’s Chrestomathy,  and  the  works  of  Medhurst, 
Davis,  Barrow,  Staunton,  Timkowski,  Kidd,  and  Gutz- 
laff,  as  the  principal  ones  to  which  this  work  is  in- 
debted. 

JOHN  R.  PETERS,  Jr. 


GENERAL  VIEW 


OF  THE 


ENTRANCE  AND  INTERIOR  OF  THE  MUSEUM. 


The  entrance  to  the  Chinese  Museum  is  made  to 
represent  the  entrance  to  a Chinese  Jos  house  or  tem- 
ple. Across  the  whole  front,  above  the  door-way,  ex- 
tends a beautiful  carved,  lacquered  and  gilt  cornice, 
called  by  the  Chinese,  “Um-Yum.”  Beneath  this,  in 
the  centre,  is  suspended  the  “ Tsoi-moon”  or  “ Lucky 
door,”  a fanciful  shaped  frame  divided  in  panels,  rich- 
ly carved  and  finished  with  gold  and  lacquer.  On 
either  side  of  the  “ Tsoi-moon”  is  suspended  an  enor- 
mous lantern  covered  with  paintings  of  the  Chinese 
Dragon.  Over  the  door  is  an  inscription  in  large  gold- 
en characters,  reading  from  right  to  left,  as  follows : 
“ Choong-wa-tie-Ivoon,”  or  in  English,  “ An  extensive 
view  of  the  central  flowery  nation.”  On  the  sides  of 
the  door  are  suspended  two  tablets  with  the  following 
characters  upon  them,  reading  downwards  and  begin- 
ning with  the  one  on  the  right,  viz  : “ Een-tsze-chaow- 
shy-hum-wy-gni.”  “ Mow-tsze-eeu-yon-she-maw-laa- 
ung.”  A Chinese  aphorism.  A free  translation  of 
which  is,  “Words  may  deceive,  but  the  eye  cannot 
play  the  rogue.” 

The  cases  are  numbered  around  the  room  in  regu- 
lar order  as  in  the  catalogue,  the  largest,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one,  contain  groups  of  figures  of  the  full 
size  of  life,  likenesses  of  individual  Chinese,  dressed 
in  the  costumes  appropriate  to  the  situations  and  em- 


6 


ployments  in  which  they  are  represented.  Two  of 
the  cases  are  facsimiles  of  occupied  rooms,  completely, 
but  differently  furnished,  in  the  houses  of  a wealthy 
person.  Another  is  a complete  representation  of  a 
Chinese  store  with  the  merchant,  his  assistants,  a 
purchaser,  &c. 

Some  of  the  small  cases  contain  models  of  houses, 
bridges  and  vessels,  and  others  an  immense  number  of 
specimens  of  Chinese  arts  and  manufacture,  articles 
esteemed  curiosities  by  the  Chinese  themselves,  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  their  curious  and  wonderful  art 
of  carving  in  ivory,  sandal  wood,  tortoise  shell  and 
stone.  Also  many  articles  of  food  peculiar  to  them,  as 
birds’  nests,  sea  slugs,  sharks’  fins,  &c. 

There  is  also  a large  and  beautiful  collection  of 
Chinese  paintings  in  oil  and  water  colors,  consisting 
of  landscapes,  portraits  of  Mandarins,  and  Hong  mer- 
chants, views  of  the  different  processes  of  manufactur- 
ing porcelain,  silk  and  cotton,  raising  and  curing  tea 
and  rice,  and  a great  variety  of  others. 

The  ceiling  is  covered  with  a great  number  of  lan- 
terns suspended  from  it,  many  of  them  of  beautiful 
construction  and  materials,  and  others  the  forms  of 
* which  could  hardly  originate  in  any  other  than  the 
distorted  fancy  of  a Chinese. 

The  Museum  is  exclusively  Chinese,  collected  from 
all  parts  of  the  Empire,  and  with  the  aid  of  this  work, 
will  give  the  visitor  a better  knowledge  of  this  curious 
people  than  can  be  acquired  by  reading  the  most 
faithful  descriptions  alone,  or  even  by  a transient  visit 
to  China. 

There  is  only  one  other  Museum  of  this  kind  in  the 
world ; which  is  that  brought  from  China,  by  the  late 
Mr.  Dunn,  of  Philadelphia,  who  resided  in  the  “ Celes- 
tial Empire”  for  a number  of  years.  His  Museum 
was  opened  in  Philadelphia  in  1839,  exhibited  for  a 


7 


few  months  and  then  removed  to  London,  where  it 
now  remains. 

To  make  the  Museum  still  more  attractive  there  are 
two  Chinese  attached  to  it,  one  of  whom  “ T’sow 
Chaoong,”  speaks  English.  The  other  named  “ Le 
Kaw-hing,”  or  professor  “Kaw-hing”  was  a teacher  of 
music  in  his  native  land,  but  having  acquired  the 
habit  of  smoking  opium,  and  not  being  able  to  give  it 
up  while  there,  left  his  country  for  that  purpose  and 
has  succeeded  in  his  undertaking.  He  will,  at  stated 
times  during  the  day  and  evening,  favor  visitors  with 
Chinese  songs,  accompanying  himself  on  some  of  his 
original  and  curious  instruments. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/rniscellaneousrem00pete_0 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  I. 


9 


CASE  I . 

No.  1.  The  Emperor  Taou  Kwang , (reason's  glory.) 

2.  Mandarin  of  the  first  rank. 

3.  Mandarin  of  the  second  rank. 

4.  Mandarin  of  the  third  rank. 

5.  Mandarin  of  the  fourth  rank. 

6.  Military  Mandarin  of  the  fifth  rank. 

7.  Military  Mandarin  of  the  sixth  rank. 

Magnificent  embroidered  satin  screen  suspended 

on  the  wall. 

View  of  the  great  wall  of  China  through  the  door- 
way on  the  right. 

View  on  the  left  of  part  of  one  of  the  ancient  Im- 
perial palaces  on  the  island  of  Tseaou-shan  in 
the  Yang-tsz-Keang  near  Nanking. 

On  the  top  of  this  case  is  one  of  a pair  of  hideous  look- 
ing figures  such  as  stand  at  the  door-ways  of  Chinese 
temples , to  guard  the  entrance.  The  China  ware  drag- 
ons are  such  as  ornament  the  corners  and  other  parts  of 
the  roofs  of  sacred  edifices. 

This  case  contains  a figure  of  the  Emperor,  six 
Mandarins  of  the  highest  grades,  and  a beautiful  em- 
broidered red  satin  screen. 

The  figures  are  clothed  in  the  splendidly  embroid- 
ered satin  state  dresses,  worn  only  at  court  or  upon 
the  most  solemn  occasions. 

In  the  head  of  His  Imperial  Majesty  we  have  an 
admirable  likeness  of  His  High  Commissioner  Keying, 
who  is  said  to  bear  a strong  resemblance  to  him,  and 
has  had  the  honor  to  negotiate  all  the  late  treaties 
made  by  the  Celestial  Empire  with  foreign  nations. 

The  “ Son  of  Heaven,”  or  “ Ten  thousand  years,” 


10 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


Description  of  Figures,  Dress,  fyc. 

as  his  titles  read,  clothed  in  the  richest  embroidered 
Imperial  yellow,  which  his  subjects  may  not  wear, 
and  seated  in  the  dragon  chair  of  state,  upon  which  a 
liberal  number  of  heads  of  this  fabulous  animal  stand 
conspicuous,  has  just  affixed  the  vermilion  pencil  rat- 
ifying the  treaty  between  China  and  the  United  States, 
presented  by  one  of  his  counsellors. 

The  four  Mandarins  standing  in  front  with  their 
heads  respectfully  covered  according  to  Chinese  eti- 
quette, which  is  the  opposite  to  ours  in  many  respects, 
are  of  the  four  highest  grades  in  the  empire ; this  is 
also  the  number  of  the  chief  officers  of  the  Imperial 
Council,  two  of  whom  are  Tartars  and  two  Chinese, 
who  serve  as  a communication  between  the  Emperor 
and  the  different  boards  of  civil  office,  revenues,  rites, 
war,  &c.,  having  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  Empire. 

The  Military  Mandarins  standing  a little  in  the  rear 
of  his  Majesty,  as  body  guards,  are  of  the  fifth  and 
sixth  grades. 

Each  figure  in  this  case  has  a string  of  court  beads 
about  the  neck,  part  of  which  consists  of  a single 
string  running  a short  way  down  the  back  and  ter- 
minating in  an  ornament  made  of  some  precious 
stone  set  in  gold.  Peacocks’  feathers,  which  are  also 
badges  of  rank,  are  fastened  to  the  knobs  of  their  caps 
and  hang  down  behind,  and  the  usual  accompani- 
ments of  rank  and  wealth  are  seen  at  their  sides,  con- 
sisting of  embroidered  fan  cases  and  small  bags  for 
containing  areca  nut  and  tobacco.  A great  part  of 
the  embroidery  upon  the  dresses  of  most  of  the  figures 
in  this  case  is  concealed  by  the  “ Makwa”  “riding 
coat,”  or  upper  garment. 

The  splendid  screen  suspended  at  the  back  of  this 
case,  together  with  that  in  No.  2,  are  supposed  to  have 
been  taken  at  the  north  during  the  war  with  Great 
Britain,  and  were  presents  to  two  aged  persons  from 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


11 


Division  of  Ranks,  Distinguishing  Marks,  Nobility,  fyc. 

the  officers  of  the  districts  in  which  they  resided. 
They  are  made  of  beautiful  materials,  and  the  elegant 
writing  and  rich  embroidery  upon  them,  done  in  gold 
thread  and  floss  silk,  show  that  no  labor  or  expense 
were  spared  in  making  them  every  way  worthy  of  the 
donors  and  those  they  intended  to  honor.  A transla- 
tion of  one  of  them  has  been  deemed  sufficient,  and 
will  be  found  in  the  description  of  figures,  &c.  in 
No.  2. 

The  Chinese  divide  their  civil  and  military  officers 
into  nine  ranks,  distinguishable  by  balls  or  knobs, 
upon  the  apex  of  their  conical  caps,  of  different  colors 
and  substances,  and  square  pieces  of  embroidery  upon 
the  breasts  and  backs  of  their  dresses,  representing  a 
bird  for  a civil  and  a beast  for  a military  officer.  The 
indication  of  the  first  rank  is  a ball  or  knob  of  red  pre- 
cious stone,  the  second  red  coral,  the  third  blue,  the 
fourth  dark  blue  or  purple,  the  fifth  chrystal,  the  sixth 
opaque  white,  and  the  seventh,  eighth  and  ninth,  by 
gold  or  gilt  ones,  distinguished  by  being  flowered  or 
plain.  Nobility  in  China  is  only  hereditary  in  the  fam- 
ily and  connexions  of  the  Emperor,  and  extends  to  all 
his  relations  descended  from  the  same  ancestors ; all 
those  of  his  mother  and  grandmother  within  four  de- 
grees ; and  lastly  all  those  of  the  consort  of  the  crown 
prince  within  two  degrees.  These  are  styled  princes, 
are  of  different  degrees  of  rank,  distinguished  by  the 
colors  of  their  girdles,  are  obliged  to  reside  within  the 
precincts  of  the  Imperial  city,  and  receive  pensions 
from  the  Emperor  for  their  support.  They  appear  to 
possess  little  or  no  influence,  and  are  not  treated  with 
much  respect  by  the  official  nobility,  who  consist  of 
those  possessing  the  first  rank  in  the  Empire,  those  of 
the  second  who  are  employed  in  any  official  capacity, 
and  those  of  the  third,  whose  office  confers  any  civil 
or  military  command.  The  five  titles  are  kung,  how, 


12 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


Mode  of  Attaining  Office. 

pih,  tsze,  and  nan,  which  are  equivalent  to  duke, 
count,  baron,  baronet,  and  knight.  The  two  last  are  of 
inferior  consequence,  while  the  first  three  take  prece- 
dence of  those  standing  in  the  first  of  the  nine  ranks 
without  these  titles. 

“ The  chief  source  of  rank  and  consideration  in 
China  is  certainly  cultivated  talent;  and  whatever 
may  be  the  character  of  the  learning  on  which  it  is 
exercised,  this  at  least  is  a more  legitimate  as  well  as 
more  beneficial  object  of  respect  than  the  vulgar  pre- 
tensions of  wealth  and  fashion,  or  the  accidental  one 
of  mere  birth.” 

“ Wealth  alone  though  it  has  of  course  some  neces- 
sary influence,  is  looked  upon  with  less  respect  com- 
paratively, than  perhaps  in  any  other  country.  The 
choice  of  official  persons,  who  form  the  real  aristocra- 
cy of  the  country,  is  guided,  with  a very  few  excep- 
tions, by  the  possession  of  educated  talent ; and  the 
country  is  therefore  as  ably  ruled  as  it  could  be  under 
the  circumstances.” 

“ All  real  rank  of  consequence  being  determined  by 
talent,  the  test  of  this  is  afforded  at  the  public  exam- 
inations. These  are  open  to  the  poorest  persons ; and 
only  some  classes,  as  menial  servants,  comedians  and 
the  lowest  agents  of  the  police,  are  excluded.  The 
literary  degrees  to  be  acquired  are  four,  viz:  “ sew- 
tsae”  talent  flowering,  “ keu-jin  ” elevated  persons, 
“ tsin-tse  ” advanced  scholars,  and  “ han-lin  ” ascended 
to  the  top  of  the  trees.  The  examinations  for  the  first 
two  degrees  are  held  in  the  districts  and  principal 
cities  of  the  provinces,  and  the  third  and  fourth  trien- 
nially  in  the  capital,  the  latter  being  in  the  presence  of 
the  Emperor  himself.  To  pass  the  examinations  it  is 
not  necessary  for  the  candidates  to  explore  the  realms 
of  nature.  Geography,  astronomy,  chemistry,  anatomy 
and  mechanics  are  little  known,  and  the  celestials  are 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


13 


Studies  of  the  Literati  and  Government  Officers,  Anecdotes,  fyc. 

still  ignorant  of  the  laws  of  electricity,  galvanism,  and 
magnetism,  the  theories  of  light,  heat,  and  sound,  the 
use  of  gas  for  illumination  and.  the  giant  powers  of 
steam.  The  highest  excellence  consists  in  closely 
imitating  the  ancients  who  are  their  paragons  of  ex- 
cellence, and  to  attempt  to  surpass  them  in  virtue  or 
intelligence  would,  be  the  height  of  presumption. 
The  sacred  four  books  and  five  classics,  compiled  by 
the  Chinese  sage,  Confucius,  and  his  disciples  ages 
ago,  are  the  text-books  of  the  student  of  the  present 
day.  A perfect  knowledge  of  these  with  the  author- 
ized commentaries  upon  them,  with  a thorough  ac- 
quaintance with  the  history  of  China  from  the  earliest 
antiquity  is  what  is  required  of  them.  The  chief  ex- 
cellency of  their  essays  for  examination  consists  in 
introducing  as  many  quotations  as  possible,  and  the 
farther  they  go  back,  for  recondite  and  unusual  ex- 
pressions, the  better ; but  they  are  deprived  of  every 
scrap  of  writing,  and  are  expected  to  carry  their  libra- 
ry, to  use  their  own  phrases,  in  their  stomachs,  that 
they  may  bring  forth  their  literary  stores  as  occasion 
requires.” 

“ This  knowledge  can  only  be  acquired  by  great 
application  and  perseverance.  The  first  five  or  six 
years  at  school  are  spent  in  committing  the  canonical 
books  to  memory ; another  six  years  are  required  to 
supply  them  with  phrases  for  a good  style ; and  an 
additional  number  of  years,  spent  in  incessant  toil,  are 
needed  to  insure  success.  Long  before  the  break  of 
day,  the  Chinese  student  may  be  heard  chaunting  the 
sacred  books ; and  till  late  at  night  the  same  task  is 
continued.  They  tell  of  one,  who,  fearing  the  task 
assigned  him  was  too  hard,  gave  up  his  books  in 
despair;  and  was  returning  to  a manual  employment, 
when  he  saw  an  old  woman  rubbing  a crowbar  on  a 
stone  ; on  asking  her  the  reason,  she  replied  that  she 
was  in  want  of  a needle  and  thought  she  would  rub 


14 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  I. 


Number  of  Candidates  selected  at  the  Official  Examinations. 

down  the  crowbar  till  she  got  it  small  enough.  The 
patience  of  the  aged  female  provoked  him  to  make 
another  attempt,  and  he  succeeded  in  attaining  to 
the  highest  rank  in  the  empire.” 

“ The  stimulus  given  to  energetic  perseverance  by 
making  the  highest  offices  attainable  by  nearly  all 
classes,  is  immense,  and  the  effect,  in  encouraging 
learning,  incalculable.  All  persons  acquire  some 
knowledge  of  letters ; and  learning,  such  as  it  is,  is 
more  common  in  China,  than  in  any  other  part  of  the 
world.  Six  poor  brethren  will  frequently  agree  to  la- 
bor hard,  to  support  the  seventh  at  his  books ; with 
the  hope  that  should  he  succeed,  and  acquire  office, 
he  may  throw  a protecting  influence  over  his  family, 
and  reward  them  for  their  toil.  Others  persevere  to 
the  decline  of  life,  in  the  pursuit  of  literary  fame  ; and 
old  men  of  eighty  have  been  known  to  die,  of  sheer 
excitement  and  exhaustion,  in  the  examination  halls. 
In  short  difficulties  vanish  before  them,  and  they 
cheer  each  other  on,  with  verses  like  the  following  : — 


“ Men  have  dug  through  mountains,  to  cut  a channel  for  the  sea; 

“ And  have  melted  the  very  stones,  to  repair  the  southern  skies  ; 

“ Under  the  whole  heaven,  there  is  nothing  difficult, 

“ It  is  only  that  men’s  minds  are  not  determined.” 

Out  of  about  10,000  candidates,  who  enter  the  lists 
for  the  third  degree,  300  only  are  selected,  and  be- 
come immediately  eligible  to  office.  The  first  post  to 
which  they  are  appointed,  is  the  superintendency  of  a 
district,  and  there  is  not  a magistrate  throughout  the 
Empire  who  has  not  attained  the  degree  referred  to. 
At  the  fourth  and  last  examination,  which  is  very  rig- 
orous, a small  number  are  chosen  from  the  300  who 
attain  the  third  degree,  to  enter  the  Han-lin-yuen  or 
National  Institute,  the  members  of  which  are  consid- 
ered the  elite  of  the  country  and  from  amongst  them 
the  highest  officers  of  the  state  are  generally  selected. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  I. 


15 


Nominal  Rank,  Emperor,  Prerogatives,  S,'c. 

Nominal  rank  and  titles,  with  the  privilege  of  wear- 
ing the  dress  and  distinctive  badges  of  Mandarins, 
may  be  purchased,  for  large  sums,  at  any  time,  the 
only  advantages  being  the  gratification  of  personal 
vanity  and  exemption  from  summary  infliction  of  the 
bamboo.  But  offices  are  to  be  had  at  times  by  mak- 
ing liberal  subscriptions  to  the  wants  of  government 
A son  of  Howqua,  (the  richest  of  the  Hong  merchants, 
who  died  a few  months  since)  was  created  a Keujin, 
in  1831,  for  subscribing  36,000  taels,  (above  50,000 
dollars)  to  repair  the  dykes  of  a portion  of  Canton 
Eiver,  injured  by  an  inundation;  and  another  son,  or 
his  father  in  his  name,  contributed  100,000  taels  (about 
140,000  dollars)  towards  the  war  in  Tartary.  This 
liberal  donation  his  majesty  did  him  “ the  favor  gra- 
ciously to  accept  ” and  conferred  upon  the  son  the 
rank  and  title  of  “ Director  of  the  Salt  Monopoly.” 

The  practice  of  disposing  of  office  is  strongly  repro- 
bated by  the  Chinese,  who  justly  consider  the  literary 
institution  the  glory  of  their  country. 

The  Emperor  is  distinguished  from  his  officers,  by 
his  yellow  dress,  upon  which  the  imperial  dragon  is 
wrought  in  gold,  and  a pearl  of  great  value  adorning 
his  cap.  He  is  called  the  father  of  his  people  and  is 
supreme  ruler  of  the  lives  and  fortunes  of  about  four 
hundred  millions  of  the  human  family  or  more  than 
one  third  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  globe.  “ He  is  held 
to  be  the  vicegerent  of  Heaven,  especially  chosen  to 
govern  all  nations ; and  is  supreme  in  everything, 
holding  at  once  the  highest  legislative  and  executive 
powers,  without  limitation  or  control.  He  is  hence, 
entitled  Tien-tsze,  the  son  of  Heaven  ; and  is  clothed 
with  most  of  the  prerogatives  of  Deity.  From  him 
emanate  all  power  and  authority ; the  whole  earth  it 
is  ignorantly  supposed  (and  it  is  the  policy  of  such  as 


]6 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


Power  of  Emperor  and  Right  of  Succession. 

are  better  informed  to  perpetuate  the  ignorant  notion) 
is  subject  to  his  sway;  and  from  him  as  the  fountain 
of  power,  rank,  honor  and  privilege,  all  Kings  derive 
their  sovereignty  over  the  nations.  It  is  in  conformity 
with  these  haughty  pretensions,  that  China  has  ever 
refused  to  negotiate  with  “ outside  barbarians,”  until 
compelled  to  do  so  by  force  stronger  than  her  own. 

“ The  power  of  the  sovereign  is  absolute,  as  that  of 
a father  over  his  children;  although,  theoretically,  he 
is  under  the  control  of  the  heavenly  decrees  (of  which 
however,  he  is  himself  interpreter;)  and  practically,  is 
in  a great  degree  subject  to  the  influence  of  public 
opinion,  of  customs,  and  of  the  enactments  of  his  im- 
mediate ancestors  and  predecessors.  As  his  will  is 
law,  it  would  be  idle  to  attempt  a specific  enumeration 
of  all  the  prerogatives  that  belong  to  him.  A state- 
ment of  a few  of  the  peculiar  rights  maintained  by  the 
crown  must  suffice.  The  Emperor  is  the  head  of  all 
religion,  and  is  alone  privileged  to  pay  adoration  to 
Heaven  (or  the  supreme  ruler  of  the  universe.)  He  is 
the  source  of  law  and  fountain  of  justice.  There  can 
be  no  appeal  from  his  judgment;  and  the  gift  of  mercy 
belongs  alone  to  him.  No  right  can  be  held  in  oppo- 
sition to  his  pleasure ; no  claim  can  be  maintained 
against  him ; no  privilege  can  protect  from  his  wrath, 
if  it  be  his  will  to  set  aside  established  rules  and  cus- 
toms. He  is  the  main  spring  of  the  administration; 
none  can  act  but  under  his  authority  and  commission. 
All  the  forces  and  revenues  of  the  Empire  are  his ; 
and  he  does  with  them  whatsoever  he  pleases.  He 
has  an  indisputed  claim  upon  the  services  of  all  his 
people,  and  in  particular  of  all  males  between  the 
ages  of  16  and  60;  but  this  is  a claim  which  it  is  rare- 
ly attempted  to  enforce.  In  a word  the  whole  Empire 
is  his  property.” 

“ The  right  of  succession  to  the  throne  is  by  cus- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


17 


Duties  of  Emperor , Curious  Proclamation  issued  after  a Hurricane. 

tom  hereditary  in  the  male  line ; but  it  is  always  in 
the  power  of  the  sovereign  to  nominate  his  successor, 
either  from  among  his  own  children,  or  from  among 
any  other  of  his  subjects.  The  successor  is  frequently 
nominated  during  the  father’s  life  time,  in  which  case 
he  possesses  several  exclusive  privileges,  as  crown 
prince.  The  duties  to  be  observed  by  the  sovereign, 
are  strictly  understood  to  consist  in  attention  to  the 
moral  and  political  maxims  of  the  ancient  philoso- 
phers, Confucius  and  Mencius,  and  their  most  cele- 
brated disciples,  as  detailed  in  their  far  famed  works, 
the  Five  Classics,  and  the  Four  Books.” 

It  would  indeed  be  strange,  if  in  a country  of  such 
vast  extent  as  China,  abuses  of  power  did  not  some- 
times occur ; but  a happy,  contented,  and  industrious 
population  is  a pretty  sure  indication  that  the  govern- 
ment is,  on  the  whole,  well  administered,  and  procla- 
mations like  the  following,  show  that  the  * Son  of 
Heaven,’  notwithstanding  the  immense  power  con- 
ferred upon  him  is  careful  of  his  reputation  amongst 
his  children. 

“ On  the  30th  of  April,  1819,  a hurricane  from  the 
south  east,  brought  prodigious  quantities  of  sand  from 
the  sea  coast  to  the  capital.  The  whole  air  looked 
like  a thick  yellow  mass ; at  the  same  time  a cloud 
covered  the  sun,  so  that  Peking  was  suddenly  involv- 
ed in  darkness  ; it  was  impossible  to  distinguish  ob- 
jects at  the  distance  of  a few  paces.” 

“ The  philosophy  of  the  Chinese,  founded  upon 
their  classical  books,  teaches  them  that  every  phe- 
nomenon is  a presage  by  which  Heaven  announces 
that  morals  are  corrupted,  and  that  the  Emperor  and 
his  agents  must  do  their  utmost  to  restore  their  purity. 
Kia-King  desiring  to  prove  his  repentance,  and  to  calm 
the  superstitious  fears  of  the  Chinese  people,  published 
on  the  1st  May,  1819,  the  following  ordinance. 


18 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I 


Emperor's  Proclamation,  continued. 

“ Yesterday,  at  three  quarters  past  five  o’clock  in  the 
afternoon,  a south-east  wind  suddenly  arose.  In  a few 
minutes  the  air  and  the  inside  of  the  houses  were  so 
filled  with  sand,  that  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish 
objects  without  the  help  of  a candle.  This  event  is 
very  extraordinary.  Seized  with  terror  at  the  bottom 
of  my  heart,  I passed  the  night  without  sleep,  en- 
deavoring to  divine  the  cause  of  the  anger  of  Heaven. 

“ According  to  the  signs  laid  down  in  the  great 
model,  to  discover  perversity,  a long  continued  wind 
indicates  infatuation.  The  cause  comes  from  myself, 
who  have  probably  not  been  sufficiently  vigilant  in  the 
acts  of  my  reign,  and  entrusted  the  affairs  of  the  Em- 
pire to  unskilful  hands.  Perhaps  the  ignorance  of 
negligent  Mandarins  has  hindered  the  complaints  of 
the  nation  from  reaching  the  throne,  and  the  results 
of  a vicious  administration  have  not  allowed  me  to 
remedy  the  evils  which  afflict  the  people. 

“ Perhaps  there  are  among  the  Mandarins  of  Peking 
and  other  cities  of  China,  wicked  and  unjust  men, 
whose  bad  conduct  has  not  been  known  to  me.  It  is 
the  duty  of  the  officers  who  represent  me,  to  share  in 
my  fears,  caused  by  the  anger  of  Heaven.  Each  of 
them  is  obliged  to  acquaint  me  of  everything  that 
passes,  not  out  of  self  interest,  but  through  zeal  alone. 
If  there  are  faults  in  the  administration,  if  it  is  neces- 
sary to  introduce  ameliorations,  or  to  make  changes, 
it  is  for  them  to  point  them  out  with  minuteness  and 
impartiality.  If  any  of  my  subjects  suffer  innocently, 
his  complaint  should  be  laid  before  me,  in  order  that 
I may  do  him  open  justice. 

“ As  for  the  Mandarins  whose  administration  is  in- 
jurious to  the  welfare  of  the  Empire,  and  who  oppress 
the  people — who,  having  recourse  to  cunning  and  ar- 
tifice, execute  one  thing  and  neglect  another — who, 
deviating  from  the  regular  mode  of  business,  act  only 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


19 


Commencement  of  Present  Dynasty , Age  of  Emperor. 

according  to  circumstances, — it  is  my  will  that  a de- 
tailed report  be  laid  before  me  respecting  the  misdeeds 
of  these  wicked  men.  Such  representations  will  be 
the  proof  of  real  zeal  for  the  throne,  and  I shall  derive 
from  them  all  the  advantages  to  the  Empire  which  are 
conformable  to  the  commands  of  Heaven.  But  if  ad- 
vantage should  be  taken  of  this  to  serve  private  hatred 
or  interest,  and  to  make  false  accusations  through  a 
spirit  of  revenge  and  personal  animosity,  then  on  the 
contrary,  white  becomes  black,  and  truth  is  mixed 
with  falsehood,  and  the  orders  which  I give  not  only 
become  useless,  but  increase  the  blindness  of  the 
wicked.  In  our  days  the  human  heart  is  perverse 
and  corrupted;  secret  and  anonymous  accusations 
are  made  against  honest  men,  and  often  cause  their 
ruin,  which  is  sufficient  to  draw  down  the  anger  of 
Heaven.  The  wind  came  from  the  south-east ; it 
must  therefore  be  supposed  that  rebels  unknown  to 
the  government  are  towards  the  south-east,  and  that 
their  impunity  is  the  cause  of  the  derangement  of  the 
Celestial  harmony. 

“ Full  of  terror  and  alarm  I think  only  of  examining 
myself,  and  endeavoring  to  amend.  I sincerely  in- 
quire into  every  thing.  The  superior  and  inferior 
Mandarins  of  Peking,  as  well  as  those  out  of  the  capi- 
tal, are  bound  to  turn  their  attention  to  their  own 
faults,  to  endeavor  with  their  whole  hearts,  and  with 
their  whole  strength,  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  offices 
entrusted  to  them.  By  seconding  my  intentions  they 
will  succeed  in  strengthening  their  own  virtue,  and  in 
preserving  the  nation  in  future  from  the  evils  which 
are  predicted.” 

The  present  Mantchou  Tartar  dynasty,  who  style 
themselves  Ta  Tsing  (great  pure,)  ascended  the  throne 
in  1644,  200  years  ago.  The  reigning  Emperor,  Taou 
Kwang,  succeeded  his  father  in  1821,  and  is  now  sixty 
four  years  old. 


20 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


Description  of  Great  Wall  and  Imperial  Canal. 

The  Great  Wall  of  China  was  constructed  by  Chi- 
hwang-te,  of  the  Tsin  dynasty,  the  first  universal  mon- 
arch of  China,  about  two  hundred  years  before  the 
commencement  of  the  Christian  era,  to  keep  the  Tar- 
tar hordes  from  invading  his  Empire. 

It  extends  from  the  Gulf  of  Pechele  in  a westerly 
direction,  a distance  of  more  than  fifteen  hundred 
miles;  descending  into  the  deepest  valleys,  and  as- 
cending the  highest  mountains,  one  of  which  is  5,000 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

At  important  passes  the  wall  is  doubled — it  varies 
in  height  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground.  At 
the  point  where  Lord  Macartney  passed  it,  the  wall,  as 
examined  by  Capt.  Parish,  was  found  to  he  a mass  of 
earth  supported  on  each  side  by  walls  of  large  brick, 
with  a stone  foundation,  and  terraced  with  a platform 
of  square  brick. 

The  total  height  of  the  wall,  including  the  parapet 
of  five  feet,  was  20  feet — the  thickness  at  the  base  was 
25  feet,  diminishing  to  15  feet  at  the  platform.  It  is 
flanked  with  massive  towers  or  bastions,  about  100 
yards  apart,  which  are  forty  feet  square  at  the  base, 
diminishing  to  30  feet  at  the  top. 

In  building  this  immense  work,  the  greatest  proba- 
bly ever  produced  by  human  labor,  and  surpassing 
the  sum  total  of  all  other  works  of  the  kind  now  in 
existence,  every  third  man  of  the  Empire  was  required 
to  work  on  it,  by  which  means  it  was  completed  in 
five  years. 

So  heavy  a tax  upon  the  industy  of  the  people,  and 
the  protection  afforded  by  it  against  the  Tartars,  until 
the  time  of  Ghengis  Khan  in  the  thirteenth  century, 
who  then  overthrew  the  Chinese  Empire,  have  led  the 
Chinese  to  call  it,  “ The  ruin  of  one  generation  and 
the  salvation  of  thousands.” 

The  other  great  work  of  China  is  the  Imperial 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  I. 


21 


Uses  of  the  Imperial  Canal , Islands  near  Nanking. 

Canal,  which,  like  the  great  wall,  stands  unrivalled,  in 
point  of  extent  and  magnitude  of  undertaking,  by  any 
work  of  the  kind  in  the  world.  Including  the  rivers 
in  its  course,  which  are  used  as  parts  of  it,  it  extends 
from  Tien-tsing,  near  Peking,  to  Hang-tcheou-foo,  a 
distance  of  about  600  geographical  miles,  and  is  navi- 
gable for  the  largest  vessels ; thus  rendering  the  inter- 
nal commerce  of  the  Empire  almost  wholly  indepen- 
dent of  coast  navigation.  But  this  is  not  its  only 
merit,  as  it  renders  a vast  tract  of  country,  which 
would  otherwise  be  an  irreclaimable  swamp,  capable 
of  cultivation.  It  is  called  by  the  Chinese,  “ Yun-ho,” 
“ The  river  for  the  transportation  of  grain,”  and  “ Cha- 
ho,”  “ The  river  of  flood  gates.”  It  was  principally 
constructed  by  Koblai  Khan  and  his  immediate  suc- 
cessors, and  is  said  to  have  employed  30,000  work- 
men nearly  fifty  years. 

A short  distance  from  Nanking  on  the  Yang-tsz- 
Keang,  rise  the  picturesque  and  precipitous  rocky  islets 
called  “The  Three  Hills  of  Kin-Kow,”  individually 
called  “ Kin- Shan,”  “ Golden  Island ;”  Pih-koo-shan 
and  Tseaou-shan.  On  the  latter  is  situated  one  of  the 
ancient  Imperial  Palaces.  The  island  rises  from  the 
river  with  considerable  abruptness,  and  is  enclosed  by 
mural  cliffs  which  deny  a landing  except  at  the  place 
of  debarkation,  formed  for  the  purpose  of  communicat- 
ing with  the  Palace,  temples,  and  other  buildings  upon 
the  rock.  The  “ Yang-tsz-Keang  ” or  “ Child  of  the 
Ocean,”  as  this  noble  river  is  called,  is  one  of  the  larg- 
est rivers  in  the  world,  being  second  only  to  the  Ama- 
zon and  Mississippi. 


22 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


CASE  II. 


No.  8.  The  Empress  of  China  seated  in  a Dragon  Chair. 
9.  Lady  of  a Mandarin  of  the  first  rank. 


10. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

second  rank. 

11. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

third  do. 

12. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

fourth  do. 

13.  Female  Servant,  with  pipe. 

Superbly  embroidered  satin  Screen  upon  the  wall. 
Two  Views ; one  of  a Suite  of  Rooms  in  the  Pal- 
ace, and  the  other  of  part  of  the  Grounds,  at- 
tached. 


In  this  group,  the  Empress,  the  two  ladies  on  her 
left,  and  the  servant,  are  Tartars.  They,  unlike  the 
others,  as  the  observer  will  notice,  are  not  adorned 
with  ‘ Kinleen or  “ the  golden  lilies,”  as  the  Chinese 
poetically  call  the  small  feet,  from  the  supposed  re- 
semblance of  their  impressions  to  the  leaves  of  their 
favorite  lotus,  or  water  lily.  This  perfection  of  beauty 
is  confined  to  the  Chinese  alone;  the  Emperor  having 
had  the  good  sense  to  prohibit  by  a special  edict,  his 
own  family,  as  well  as  all  Tartars  from  following  the 
Chinese  custom.  The  other  two  ladies  are  Chinese ; 
who  are  distinguished  from  the  Tartar  ladies  by  a 
slight  difference  in  dress,  as  well  by  their  small  feet; 
the  costume  of  the  Tartar  females  being  very  similar 
to  the  males,  consisting  of  the  same  cap  and  flowing 
robe,  but  distinguished  by  peculiar  shoes  and  the  grace- 
ful sash,  while  the  dress  of  Chinese  females  contains 
another  under  dress,  and  sometimes  two,  visible  below 
the  robe,  which  is  not  so  long  as  that  worn  by  Tartars. 
The  first  article  is  a confined  looking  garment,  made 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


23 


Dress  of  Tartar  and  Chinese  Ladies , Remarks  upon  Empress. 

of  heavy  plates,  and  the  second,  loose  browsers,  which 
hang  down  so  as  nearly  to  conceal  the  “ golden  lilies.” 
Their  head  dresses  also  differ  some  from  that  of  the 
Tartars,  as  may  be  noticed.  But  the  costumes  of  both 
nations,  “ though  amongst  the  higher  classes,  as  splen- 
did as  the  most  exquisite  silks  and  embroidery  can 
make  them,  are  always  extremely  modest ; and  what 
we  choose  to  call  dress , they  would  regard  as  little  short 
of  absolute  nudity,  and  all  close  fitting  to  the  form  as 
only  displaying  what  it  affects  to  conceal.” 

The  Tartar  maid,  in  this  case,  is  about  to  present  a 
pipe  to  the  Empress,  for  she  and  the  rest  of  her  sex  in- 
dulge in  this  luxury,  as  well  as  the  males,  the  pipe  be- 
ing used  by  both  sexes  upon  all  occasions.  The  dress 
of  the  maid  is  the  same  in  fashion  as  that  of  her  more 
fortunate  countrywomen,  though  of  course  not  as 
splendid. 

When  a female  is  raised  to  the  rank  of  Empress, 
the  Emperor  announces  the  event  to  mother  earth,  to 
his  ancestors,  and  the  ancient  sages,  and  after  many 
minute  observances,  she  is  invested  with  the  high  dig- 
nity of  the  mother  of  the  country.  But  notwithstand- 
ing she  is  the  consort  of  the  “ Son  of  Heaven,”  her 
sphere,  like  that  of  the  rest  of  her  countrywomen,  is 
very  limited.  The  palace  walls  and  gardens  of  the 
Harem  are  the  bounds  of  the  world  to  her,  as  well  as 
to  the  Emperor’s  concubines  who  are  said  to  be  nu- 
merous, and  the  principal  part  of  her  time  is  passed  in 
trivial  amusements  within  the  “pepper  chamber.”* 
She  is  not  even  allowed  the  gratification  of  setting  the 
fashions  for  her  countrywomen ; for  the  style  of  her 
own  dress  is  prescribed  by  the  Board  of  Rites  and  Cere- 

* “ According  to  the  Ku  Sz’  King  Lam,”  says  Dr.  Bridgman,  “ in  the  times 
of  the  Hon  dynasty,  the  walls  of  the  Harem  were  plastered  with  pepper,  from 
the  notion  that  its  pungent  properties  would  dispel  or  neutralize  all  noxious 
vapors  in  the  room.  From  this  practice,  the  phrase  is  now  used  to  denote  the 
apartments  of  the  Empress  in  the  palace.” 


24 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


Honors  paid  the  Emperor's  Mother. 

monies  at  Peking,  who  are  the  only  setters  of  fashion 
in  China,  regulating  the  dress  of  ail  those  connected 
with  the  government,  and  to  depart  materially  from 
whose  ordinances  would  be  a dangerous  species  of 
eccentricity. 

Once  a year,  (about  November)  the  Empress  ac- 
companied by  her  principal  ladies,  sacrifices  at  the  al- 
tar of  the  inventor  of  the  silk  manufacture.  This  ap- 
pears to  be  the  only  state  ceremonial,  at  which  she  of- 
ficiates, and  when  it  is  concluded,  a quantity  of  mul- 
berry leaves  are  collected  by  herself  and  ladies,  to 
nourish  the  imperial  depot  of  silk  worms.  The  pro- 
cesses of  heating  the  cocoons  in  water,  winding  off  the 
filament,  and  some  others  are  gone  through  with  dur- 
ing the  ceremony,  which  is  intended  to  encourage  the 
people  in  the  cultivation  of  the  mulberry  and  rearing 
of  silk  worms  for  the  production  of  silk,  the  principal 
part  of  the  manufacture  of  which  devolves  upon  fe- 
males. 

It  is  only  when  the  Empress  becomes  Empress 
Mother,  that  much  honor  is  paid  her.  Then  the  Em- 
peror performs  his  daily  obeisance  before  her  accord- 
ing to  ancient  custom,  and  at  certain  periods  of  her  life, 
as  at  fifty,  sixty,  seventy,  &c.,  particular  honors  are  paid 
her;  especially  at  the  age  of  sixty,  which,  being  the 
completion  of  an  entire  cycle,  is  regarded  as  the  greatest 
occasion.  On  the  present  Emperor’s  mother  attaining 
this  age,  his  imperial  majesty  issued  a proclamation 
announcing  to  his  people  the  great  event  and  the  ob- 
servances attendant  upon  it.  It  is  a curious  docu- 
ment, and  the  translation  as  given  in  the  Chinese  Re- 
pository, is  as  follows: 

“ The  Emperor,  who  has  received  from  Heaven,  in 
the  revolving  course  of  nature,  his  dominion,  hereby 
publishes  a solemn  ordinance. 

“ Our  extensive  dominions  have  enjoyed  the  utmost 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  II. 


25 


Proclamation  issued  on  the  Emperor’s  mother's  sixtieth  birth  day. 

prosperity,  under  the  shelter  of  a glorious  and  endur- 
ing state  of  felicity.  Our  exalted  race  has  become 
most  illustrious,  under  the  protection  of  that  honored 
relative  to  whom  the  whole  court  looks  up.  To  her 
happiness  already  unalloyed,  the  highest  degree  of 
felicity  has  been  superadded,  causing  joy  and  gladness 
to  every  inmate  of  the  six  palaces.  The  grand  cere- 
monies of  the  occasion  shall  exceed  in  splendor  the 
utmost  requirements  of  the  ancients  in  regard  to  the 
human  relations,  calling  forth  the  grat illation  of  the 
whole  Empire.  It  is  indispensable  that  the  observ- 
ances of  the  occasion  should  be  of  an  exceedingly  un- 
usual nature,  in  order  that  our  reverence  for  our  au- 
gust parent  and  care  for  her,  may  both  be  equally  and 
gloriously  displayed. 

“ Her  majesty,  the  great  Empress — benign  and  dig- 
nified, universally  beneficent,  perfectly  serene,  exten- 
sively benevolent,  composed  and  placid,  thoroughly 
virtuous,  tranquil  and  self-collected,  in  favors  unbound- 
ed, who  in  virtue  is  the  equal  of  the  exalted  and  ex- 
pansive heavens,  and  in  goodness,  of  the  vast  and 
solid  earth — has,  within  her  perfumed  palaces,  aided 
the  renovating  endeavors  (of  his  late  majesty)  rend- 
ering the  seasons  ever  harmonious,  and  in  her  mater- 
nal court  has  afforded  a bright  rule  of  government, 
thoroughly  disinterested.  She  has  planted  for  herself 
a glorious  name  in  all  the  palace,  which  she  will  leave 
to  her  descendants;  and  has  imparted  her  substantial 
favors  to  the  Empire,  making  her  tender  affection 
universally  conspicuous.  Hence  genial  influences 
abide  within  the  palace  of  ‘ ever-during  delight,’  and 
joy  and  gratulation  meet  together  in  the  halls  of  ‘ ever- 
lasting spring.’ 

“ In  the  first  month  of  the  present  winter  occurs  the 
sixtieth  anniversary  of  her  majesty’s  sacred  natal  day. 
At  the  opening  of  the  happy  period,  the  sun  and  moon 


26 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


Proclamation,  continued. 

shed,  their  united  genial  influences  on  it.  When 
commencing  anew  the  sexagenary  cycle,  the  honor 
thereof  adds  increase  to  her  felicity.  Looking  up- 
wards, and  beholding  her  glory,  we  repeat  our  gratu- 
lation,  and  announce  the  event  to  Heaven,  to  earth,  to 
our  ancestors,  and  to  the  patron  gods  of  the  Empire. 
On  the  nineteenth  day  of  the  tenth  moon,  in  the  fif- 
teenth year  of  Taou  Kwang,  we  will  conduct  the 
princes,  the  nobles,  and  all  the  high  officers,  both  civil 
and  military,  into  the  presence  of  the  great  Empress, 
benign  and  dignified,  universally  beneficent,  perfectly 
serene,  extensively  benevolent,  composed  and  placid, 
thoroughly  virtuous,  tranquil  and  self-collected,  in  favors 
unbounded;  and  we  will  then  present  our  congratu- 
lations on  the  glad  occasion,  the  anniversary  of  her 
natal  day.  The  occasion  yields  a happiness  equal  to 
what  is  enjoyed  by  goddesses  in  heaven ; and  while 
announcing  it  to  the  gods,  and  to  our  people,  we  will 
tender  to  her  blessings  unbounded.  It  is  the  happy 
recommencement  of  the  glorious  revolution  of  the 
cycle,  the  felicity  whereof  shall  continue  long  as  the 
reign  of  reason. 

“ At  the  observance  of  this  solemn  occasion,  exceed- 
ingly great  and  special  favors  shall  be  shown;  the 
particulars  of  which  and  of  the  ceremonies  to  be  ob- 
served are  hereinafter  enumerated. 

“ First.  To  the  tombs  of  the  successive  Emperors 
and  Kings,  to  the  temple  of  the  first  great  teacher, 
Confucius,  to  the  five  lofty  mountains,  and  to  the  four 
mighty  streams,  officers  shall  be  sent  to  offer  sacrifices. 
Let  the  rules  on  the  subject  be  examined  and  let  this 
be  carried  into  effect. 

“ Secondly.  All  ladies  of  elevated  rank  who  have 
attained  to  the  age  of  sixty  years  or  upwards,  from  the 
consorts  of  the  highest  princes  to  the  wives  of  the 
lowest  titular  members  of  the  imperial  family,  from 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


27 


Proclamation  continued. 


the  princesses  of  the  blood  to  the  daughters  of  the 
subordinate  princess,  from  the  consorts  of  the  Mongol 
royal  chieftains  to  the  wives  of  their  hereditary  nobles, 
as  well  as  the  ladies  of  the  great  officers  of  state  both 
Mantchou  and  Chinese,  shall  be  presented  with  tokens 
of  favor. 

“ Thirdly.  Every  officer  in  the  metropolis,  both 
civil  and  military,  of  every  grade,  shall  be  raised  in 
rank  one  degree. 

“ Fourthly.  Every  officer,  whether  at  court  or  in  the 
provinces,  who  is  under  promise  of  promotion  to  a 
new  office,  shall  be  at  once  invested  with  the  rank  of 
such  new  office. 

“ Fifthly.  In  regard  to  every  officer  who  for  error 
in  public  matters  has  been  degraded  in  rank,  but  re- 
tained in  office,  let  the  appropriate  Board,  after  exam- 
ination, present  a report,  requesting  that  his  rank  be 
restored  to  him. 

“ Sixthly.  Every  military  officer  of  brevet  rank 
shall  be  advanced  to  a permanent  rank. 

“ Seventhly.  Every  soldier  of  the  eight  banners  in 
Peking  shall  receive  a gift  of  one  month’s  pay  and 
rations. 

“ Eighthly.  Every  Mantchou  soldier  who,  having 
formerly  borne  arms,  has  been  permitted,  on  account 
of  age  or  sickness,  to  live  at  home,  shall  receive  gra- 
cious tokens  of  favor. 

“ Ninthly.  All  soldiers  of  the  eight  banners,  Mant- 
chou, Chinese,  and  Mongols,  who  have  attained  the 
ages  of  seventy,  eighty,  or  ninety  years,  and  all  Mon- 
gols of  the  inner  tribes,  or  of  the  Kalkas,  who  have 
attained  those  ages,  shall  have  gifts  conferred  on  them, 
differing  in  relation  to  their  several  ages.  Those  who 
have  attained  the  age  of  an  hundred  years,  shall,  on 
presenting  a statement  thereof,  receive  money  to  erect 
an  arch. 


28 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


Proclamation,  continued. 

“ Tenthly.  Every  one  among  the  military  and 
people  (of  China  Proper,)  who  has  attained  the  age  of 
seventy  shall  be  allowed  one  person  to  attend  on  him 
free  of  liability  to  conscription.  Every  one  who  has 
attained  the  age  of  eighty  shall  receive  (also)  one  piece 
of  silk,  ten  catties  of  cotton,  one  stone  weight  of  rice, 
and  ten  catties  of  flesh.  Every  one  who  has  attained 
the  age  of  ninety  or  of  a hundred  years,  shall  receive 
money  for  the  erection  of  an  arch. 

“ Eleventhly.  Every  perfectly  filial  son  or  obedient 
grandson,  every  remarkably  upright  husband,  or  chaste 
wife,  upon  proofs  being  brought  forward  of  real  facts, 
shall  have  a monument  erected  with  an  inscription,  in 
his  or  her  honor. 

“ Twelfthly.  Of  the  lower  classes  of  literary  gradu- 
ates, all  who  have  passed  good  examinations,  but 
without  attaining  degrees,  shall  be  presented  with  de- 
grees. 

“ Thirteenthly.  The  students  of  the  national  college 
shall  have  a vacation  of  one  month. 

“ Fourteenthly.  In  every  case  in  which  the  tombs 
of  the  successive  emperors  and  kings,  or  the  temples 
of  the  lofty  mountains  and  mighty  streams,  have 
fallen  into  decay,  let  requests  for  their  repair  be 
sent  in. 

“ Fifteenthly.  Let  roads  and  bridges  that  are  in 
want  of  repair,  in  all  the  provinces,  be  repaired  by  the 
local  officers. 

“In  this  manner  shall  her  majesty’s  sanctity  and 
virtue  be  declared,  and  become  a rule  and  an  exam- 
ple, the  praise  of  which  shall  be  like  the  sun  and 
moon,  and  shall  be  ever  increasing.  Her  kindness 
shall  be  diffused  abroad  and  extended  to  all;  and  all 
shall  rejoice  with  the  joys  of  music  and  dancing.  Let 
this  be  proclaimed  to  the  whole  Empire,  that  all  may 
be  made  to  hear  and  know  it.” 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  II. 


29 


Description  of  large  Embroidered  Satin  Screen. 

Such  ornamental  pieces  of  embroidery  and  writing 
as  the  one  at  the  back  of  this  case  and  that  in  No.  1, 
are  called  by  the  Chinese,  Shau-Ping,  literally  Lon- 
gevity Screens.  They  are  presented  to  persons  who 
have  attained  a virtuous  old  age  and  are  not  intended 
to  be  used  as  screens,  but  are  suspended  behind  the 
tablets,  upon  which  the  names  of  the  venerated  de- 
ceased are  inscribed,  in  the  Ancestral  halls.  This  one 
“ is  made  of  fine  red  satin,  14%  feet  long,  by  9'A  feet 
broad,  and  is  covered  with  writing  and  embroidery, 
the  latter  in  gold  thread  and  floss  silk.  The  writing' 
occupies  the  middle  of  the  sheet,  and  is  symmetrical 
and  elegant  in  the  extreme.  A large  dragon’s  head 
adorns  the  top,  beneath  which  are  three  sitting  figures, 
emblematic  of  Longevity,  Happiness,  and  Official 
Emolument  ; and  on  each  side  are  four  standing 
figures  representing  the  eight  genii;  various  devices, 
as  tripods,  vases,  &c.,  are  interspersed  among  the 
figures,  giving  to  the  whole  a pleasing  and  tasty  ap- 
pearance.” There  are  also  two  narrow  strips  hang- 
ing down  from  the  top  upon  which  the  following  seal 
characters  are  embroidered,  viz : “ Shaow-peih-lam- 
shan.”  “ May  your  age  be  like  the  southern  moun- 
tains.” The  translation  which  follows,  was  made  for 
the  Chinese  Repository,  by  S.  Wells  Williams,  Esq., 
one  of  the  conductors  and  proprietors  of  that  valuable 
magazine.  The  inscription  is  in  form  of  a letter. 

Note  upon  the  Longevity  Honor,  respectfully  pre- 
sented with  congratulations  to  her  ladyship,  Sun-nee 
Sie,  by  imperial  favor,  elevated  to  be  of  the  seventh 
rank  of  dignity  on  her  70th  birthday. 

“ In  the  year  1802,  I was  in  command  of  the  land 
and  sea  forces  of  Fukien  province;  this  province  is 
conterminous  with  Kwangtung.  The  village  Ching 
belongs  to  Kwangtung,  to  the  present  department  of 
Kiaying,  a place  which  was  by  the  rectitude  of  the 


30 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  II. 


Translation  of  Inscription  on  Satin  Screen. 

scholar  Ching  of  Nautse,  quite  renovated,  (and  named 
after  him.)  Although  I was  in  retirement  (literally  a 
gourd  hung  up  to  dry,)  still  the  parents  of  the  people, 
(i.  e.  the  authorities,)  in  all  that  region  knew  me.  A 
subordinate,  then  under  the  magistrate  of  Kiaying- 
chau,  was  the  Taping  fansz’,  now  the  assistant  chifu, 
Sun  Sfifang,  who  governed  that  district,  all  men 
were  refreshed  by  his  upright  rules,  nor  was  there  a 
dissentient  voice.  Iiis  mother,  the  lady  Sie,  was  the 
first  and  only  wife  of  Sun  Siunche,  the  assistant  chifu 
of  Lwan  chau,  and  he  (her  son)  brought  her  from 
Chekiang  into  his  office,  and  assiduously  and  con- 
stantly nourished  and  took  care  of  her  with  respectful 
attention. 

“ It  was  on  the  lady  Sun  attaining  the  anniversary 
day  of  her  7th  decennium,  that  all  the  gentry  wished 
to  imitate  the  custom  usual  on  such  occasions  of  pre- 
senting a Longevity  Token,  and  requested  an  explan- 
atory notice  from  me,  and  also  that  I would  direct  the 
libations;  at  the  same  time  sending  for  my  inspection 
two  longevity  discourses  made  when  lords  Sz’,  the 
graduate,  and  lord  Han,  the  district  magistrate,  were 
sixty  years  old. 

“ It  appears  that  the  etiquette  in  ancient  times,  in 
making  offerings  on  birth  days,  was  not  to  do  it 
always  on  the  day  itself,  but  to  choose  a convenient 
time  ; in  Pin,  it  was  the  custom  to  observe  them  after 
the  harvest  was  got  in ; and  in  the  Han  dynasty  it 
was  on  new  year’s  day ; at  present,  some  do  it  on  the 
birthday,  which  resembles  the  ancient  practice.  Now 
my  own  attainments  are  not  at  all  comparable  to 
those  of  Lord  Sz’,  and  Prince  Han,  and  moreover 
your  ladyship’s  domestic  regulations  are  worthy  to  be- 
come a model  to  instructors ; may  your  happiness 
and  age  daily  increase.  Why  therefore  should  any 
one  wait  for  my  echoing  praise  of  such  a reputation  ? 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


31 


Translation  of  Screen,  continued. 

But  taking  a point  which  all  those  in  the  district  of 
Kiaying  who  have  the  least  acquaintance  with  the 
matter  know,  viz  : that  Sun  Siifang  and  his  broth- 
ers, reverentially  receive  the  instruction  of  their 
mother,  I will  remark  upon  it.  The  assistant  magis- 
trate (i.  e.  Sun  Ftifang)  has  thorough  and  most  dis- 
criminating talents;  for  although  his  jurisdiction  is 
over  only  a small  corner  of  the  department,  he  does 
not  confine  his  efforts  to  his  own  limited  district,  but 
has  become  generally  distinguished ; he  has  appre- 
hended villains  and  cleared  the  country  of  robbers; 
he  exhibits  his  kind  regards  for  the  villagers,  and  con- 
sults their  wishes ; in  all  these  duties  exerting  him- 
self to  the  utmost.  Moreover,  when  he  at  any  time 
received  the  chief  magistrate’s  order  to  attend  to  any 
special  business,  such  as  levying  fines,  arranging 
schools,  &c.,  he  critically  discriminated  the  advantages 
and  the  disadvantages  in  everything,  displaying  the 
utmost  equity  and  purity,  in  order  on  the  one  hand  to 
requite  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  the  superior 
magistrate,  and  on  the  other,  to  show  his  rectitude  to 
all  the  inhabitants.  The  quiet  order  of  the  country 
was  altogether  owing  to  the  resolute  vigor  of  the  as- 
sistant magistrate,  extending  itself  over  and  benefit- 
ting  all  that  region,  while  during  this  interval  of  sev- 
eral years  his  integrity  was  unimpeachable,  and  he 
was  still  poor.  All  this  excellence  was  owing  to  your 
ladyship’s  instructions,  through  which  he  maintained 
the  magisterial  uprightness  of  his  ancestors,  and  per- 
petuated the  honor  of  the  distinguished  officer  (his 
father ;)  therefore,  when  men  praised  the  bravery  of 
the  assistant  magistrate,  there  was  not  one  who  did 
not  in  so  doing,  laud  the  virtue  of  his  mother.  The 
young  gentleman,  his  brother,  is  also  now  about  to  re- 
ceive an  appointment  to  an  office ; and  when  your 
grandchildren  all  rise  up  (to  emulate  and  succeed 


32 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  II. 


Translation  of  Screen,  continued. 

their  parents,)  it  will  be  like  the  flight  of  the  phoenix, 
or  the  stateliness  of  the  stork;  your  joy  will  be  com- 
plete. 

“ Your  ladyship’s  nephew,  the  prefect  of  Tating  fu 
in  Kweichau,  a place  beyond  the  far  reaching  clouds, 
you  have  also  through  the  past  instructed  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  justice  ; if  you  thus  remember  those  who  are 
distant,  how  will  you  not  care  for  those  near  you  ! 
In  ancient  times,  when  the  mother  of  Chang  Tsihien, 
went  to  the  palace,  his  majesty,  on  account  of  her  age 
and  her  happiness,  that  she  had  so  distinguished  a 
son,  honored  her  with  a complimentary  letter  from 
his  own  hand.  And  too,  the  Emperor  Jintsung  re- 
marked, when  seeing  the  prudent  government  of  Tsai 
Kiunnui,  “ If  such  is  the  son,  what  must  the  mother’s 
virtue  be  ! ” and  he  sent  her  a coronet  and  a ribbon  as 
a mark  of  special  honor.  Your  ladyship  has  now 
reached  the  age  of  three  score  and  ten,  and  will  no 
doubt  soon  receive  some  mark  of  imperial  regard  ; so 
that  then  the  glory  of  those  two  matrons  will  not  be 
alone,  for  yours  will  equal  theirs;  and  if  the  assistant 
magistrate  heartily  regards  you,  and  dilligently  upholds 
the  integrity  of  his  office,  we  shall  soon  see  him  rise 
to  the  first  grade  of  rank,  and  then  your  subsequent 
glory  will  be  more  conspicuous. 

“ The  benignant  favor  of  our  Emperor  diffuses  itself 
among  and  blesses  the  people ; and  the  peace  and  gran- 
deur of  the  country  and  the  excellence  and  purity  of 
the  usages  are  preeminent;  and  as  your  ladyship’s 
health  is  vigorous,  and  your  sons  and  grandsons  are 
fortunate,  truly  your  joys  are  not  yet  full.  I know 
that  the  wishes  of  the  people  and  gentry  of  the  dis- 
trict, in  imitating  the  custom  of  the  Pin  country  in 
offering  the  libation  cup  of  blessing,  and  in  perform- 
ing the  same  ceremony  of  elevating  the  longevity  gifts 
as  they  did  in  the  Han  dynasty,  are  by  no  means 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  II. 


33 


Inducements  to  Parents  to  Educate  their  Sons. 

fully  satisfied,  although  these  arc  the  highest  of  rites 
among  ceremonial  observances ; and  therefore  this 
which  I have  written  may  be  regarded  as  an  additional 
cup  offered  up  on  their  behalf. 

“ Your  humble  brother,  Yen  Minghan  by  imperial 
favor  a military  graduate  of  the  first  rank,  appointed  to 
the  imperial  body  guard  in  his  majesty’s  presence, 
appointed  to  be  ‘awe  inspiring  general,’  major-general 
in  command  of  the  forces  of  Fukien  province,  and 
acting  admiral  of  the  navy  there ; formerly  general  of 
the  troops  in  the  two  departments  of  Changchau  and 
Ivienning ; in  1789  appointed  official  examiner  at  the 
military  examination  in  Fukien,  and  formerly  acting 
general  of  the  troops  in  Ninghia  fu  in  Kansuh,  during 
the  war,  raised  four  steps  and  recorded  ten  times,  re- 
spectfully bows  and  presents  his  compliments.  Kiak- 
ing,  7th  year,  8th  moon,  20th  day,  (Oct.  1S02.) 

“ The  names  and  titles  of  258  persons  are  appended) 
beginning  with  those  highest  in  office  and  descend- 
ing  to  the  lowest,  who  all  subscribed  to  purchase  and 
present  this  to  Madame  Suse.” 

The  reader  will  note  in  the  introductory  part  of  the 
letter  that  this  old  lady  had  been  elevated  to  the 
seventh  rank  of  dignity.  This  mode  of  bestowing 
nominal  rank  is  a great  inducement  to  parents  to 
attend  to  the  education  and  consequent  advancement 
of  their  sons,  as  not  only  the  fortunate  literary  candi- 
dates themselves  receive  honors,  but  their  parents 
also,  who  if  dead,  have  posthumous  titles  conferred 
upon  them,  which  are  inscribed  upon  their  tablets, 
preserved  in  the  Halls  of  Ancestors,  and  used  in  the 
ceremonies  attending  the  sacrifices  to  their  manes. 


34 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


CASE  III. 


Mandarin  of  the  fourth  rank. 

Secretary. 

Interpreter. 

Inferior  Officer , with  whip, 
do.  do.  with  bamboo. 

Culprit  on  his  knees. 

Criminal  confined  in  a tub. 

Painting  at  the  back  of  the  case.  Table  with  red  cloth 
in  front. 

Large  lacquered  “ Law  San,”  or  “ State  Umbrella .” 

Large  uEu-sheen , or  “ Imperial  Fan,”  carried  in  proces- 
sions to  screen  distinguished  persons  from  the  rays  of 
the  sun. 

Painted  wood  Banner,  carried  before  a person  of  rank , 
with  his  name  and  titles  in  gilded  characters  upon  it. 


This  case  contains  a representation  of  a Chinese 
court  of  justice.  The  judge  is  seated  behind  his  table 
with  writing  implements  before  him,  two  metal  cases 
filled  with  sticks  are  at  one  end  of  the  table,  and  at 
the  other  a case  done  up  in  yellow  grass  cloth,  con- 
tains his  official  seals,  while  the  small  roll  on  the 
frame  above  it,  also  enclosed  in  the  imperial  color, 
contains  his  authority  from  the  Emperor.  This  figure 
is  an  excellent  likeness  of  a former  Kwang-chow-foo 
of  Canton,  much  beloved  by  the  people. 

On  the  right  of  the  officer,  stands  his  Secretary,  on 
the  left,  the  interpreter,  in  front,  on  one  side,  a mer- 
midon,  with  whip  in  hand,  has  just  brought  in  a pris- 
oner, and  opposite,  stands  his  fellow  with  the  dreaded 
(as  well  as  admired)  bamboo  in  his  hands,  ready  to 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  III. 


35 


Chinese  Justice.  No  Lawyers  or  Jury.  Difference  in  Dialects,  S?c. 

dispense  justice  with  it,  according  to  the  orders  of  his 
superior. 

A criminal,  already  sentenced,  is  expiating  his  of- 
fence in  a tub,  his  head  and  hands  only  being  visible. 
In  the  rear  of  the  judge  is  a painting  of  a large  Chi- 
nese Unicorn,  a tree  with  a case  containing  the  seals 
of  office  suspended  upon  one  of  the  branches,  and  a 
bird  descending  with  a scroll  in  its  beak.  The  Chi- 
nese generally  do  not  appear  to  understand  the  mean- 
ing of  such  paintings  as  this,  which  are  suspended 
behind  their  officers  in  court  rooms.  But  they  would 
seem  to  be  emblematic  of  the  duty  of  the  officers  to 
discharge  their  trusts  faithfully,  in  order  to  obtain  pro- 
motion which  is  indicated  by  the  case  of  seals  sus- 
pended above,  and  the  scroll  containing  a commission 
in  the  mouth  of  a descending  bird. 

A Chinese  court  room  is  never  graced  with  a jury 
box;  the  representative  of  the  Emperor  is  both  judge 
and  jury.  “ The  plaintiff,  defendant,  and  witnesses, 
kneel  in  front  of  him,  with  the  instruments  of  torture 
placed  near  them.  No  counsel  is  allowed  to  plead, 
but  the  written  allegations  required,  must  be  prepared 
by  licensed  notaries,  who  may  also  read  them  in  court. 
These  notaries  buy  their  situations  and  repay  them- 
selves by  the  fees  upon  the  documents.”  The  services 
of  an  interpreter  are  necessary  in  court,  as  a medium, 
of  conversation  between  the  judge  and  prisoners,  the 
laws  of  China  forbidding  persons  holding  office  in 
their  native  provinces,  or  even  owning  real  estate,  or 
contracting  marriage,  in  the  provinces  to  which  they 
are  appointed;  and  notwithstanding  the  universal  use 
of  the  same  written  language  throughout  the  empire, 
the  dialects  of  the  different  provinces  vary  so  much  as 
to  make  the  natives  of  one  unintelligible  to  those  of 
another,  without  recourse  to  writing.  “ The  legal 
mode  of  torture,  in  forcing  evidence,  is  to  squeeze  the 


36 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


Curious  mode  of  demonstrating  respect,  to  an  upright  Officer. 

ankles  or  the  fingers  between  three  sticks  tied  trian- 
gularly: the  former  being  applied  to  male,  and  the 
latter  to  female  prisoners.  Oaths  are  never  required, 
nor  even  admitted,  in  judicial  proceedings;  but  very 
severe  punishments  are  attached  to  falsehoods  in  evi- 
dence.” 

“ The  Chinese  have  some  singular  modes  of  de- 
monstrating their  respect  and  regard  on  the  departure 
of  any  public  magistrate,  whose  government  has  been 
marked  by  moderation  and  justice.  A deputation 
sometimes  waits  upon  him  with  a habit  composed  of 
every  variety  of  color,  “ a coat  of  many  colors,”  as  if 
made  by  a general  contribution  from  the  people. 
With  this  he  is  solemnly  invested,  and  though  of 
course  the  garment  is  not  intended  to  be  worn,  it  is 
preserved  as  an  honorable  relic  in  the  family.  On 
quitting  the  district,  he  is  accompanied  by  crowds 
that  follow  his  chair,  or  kneel  by  the  wayside,  while 
at  intervals  on  the  road  are  placed  tables  of  provisions 
and  sticks  of  incense  burning.  These  honors  were 
shown  to  a late  Fooyuen  of  Canton,  a man  of  a most 
eccentric,  but  upright  character,  who  unlike  so  many 
others  in  his  situation,  would  never  take  anything  from 
the  Hong  merchants,  or  others  under  his  authority. 
He  seemed  to  have  a supreme  indifference  for  human 
grandeur,  and  at  length  retired  by  his  own  choice  and 
the  Emperor’s  permission  into  private  life, from  whence 
it  is  said  he  became  a devotee  of  Budh.  On  his  quit- 
ting Canton,  “ numerous  addresses  were  presented  to 
him,  indicating  a desire,  as  expressed  in  the  figurative 
and  poetical  language  of  the  Chinese,  £ to  detain  his 
boots,’  in  order  to  prevent  his  setting  out  on  his  jour- 
ney ;”  and  this  singular  custom  was  observed,  in  con- 
formity with  ancient  usage  on  such  rare  occasions ; 
when  he  had  accepted  the  various  demonstrations  of 
homage  and  respect  from  those  who  had  been  deputed. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  III 


37 


Different  kinds  of  Punishments , Bastinado,  fyc. 

by  the  people  to  wait  on  him,  he  proceeded  from  his 
residence  to  the  city  gates,  and,  being  there  arrived, 
his  boots  were  taken  off,  to  be  preserved,  as  valued 
relics,  while  their  place  was  supplied  by  a new  pair. 
This  was  repeated  more  than  once  as  he  proceeded 
on  his  way,  the  boots  which  he  had  only  once  drawn 
on  being  regarded  as  precious  memorials.” 

Punishments  in  China  are  of  five  kinds,  each  grad- 
uated according  to  the  heinousness  of  the  offence. 
The  first  is  flogging  with  the  bamboo,  which  is  of  two 
sizes  and  the  dimensions  of  each  regulated  by  law. 
The  smallest  is  used  for  petty  offences,  requiring,  ac- 
cording to  law,  from  ten  to  fifty  blows,  which  to  suit 
the  Chinese  maxim,  “ that  in  enacting  laws  rigor  is 
necessary  and  enforcing  them  leniency,”  are  reduced 
in  practice  to  from  four  to  twenty,  the  reduction  being 
placed  to  the  credit  of  the  Emperor  and  called  impe- 
rial favor.  So  summary  is  the  application  of  the 
bamboo,  that  instances  often  occur  of  an  offender 
receiving  punishment  and  going  free  within  the  hour 
the  offence  was  committed.  The  number  of  blows 
with  the  larger  bamboo  is  limited  from  sixty  to  one 
hundred  by  law,  but  is  reduced  in  practice  to  from 
twenty  to  forty.  Tartars  are  subjected  to  the  whip, 
which  is  not  considered  as  disgraceful  as  the  bamboo. 
The  tallies  or  slips  of  wood  in  the  metal  cases  in  front 
of  the  magistrate,  in  this  case,  are  used  to  indicate  the 
number  of  blows  to  be  given  to  the  culprit,  and  when 
thrown  upon  the  floor  by  the  magistrate,  are  taken  up 
by  the  attendant  and  four  blows  in  reality  given  for 
each,  although  nominally,  they  signify  more. 

The  second  class  of  punishment  is  the  Cangue,  or 
wooden  collar,  worn  from  one  month  to  three,  and 
varying  in  weight  according  to  the  heinousness  of  the 
crime.  It  is  a plank,  sufficiently  large  to  hinder  the 
criminal  from  reaching  his  head,  if  his  hands  are  not 


38 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


Punishment  hij  the  Gangue  and  Transportation. 

confined,  with  holes  to  fit  the  neck  and  wrists,  and  on 
it  the  offence  is  inscribed.  The  tub  in  this  case,  with 
a man  in  it,  is  a species  of  Cangue  of  an  uncomforta- 
ble kind,  as  it  prevents  the  free  motion  of  different 
parts  of  the  body.  The  Cangue  is  often  a fatal  pun- 
ishment, and  the  foreigners  at  Canton  were  shocked 
with  a horrid  exhibition  of  it  in  the  fall  of  1843.  Some 
wretches  taken  in  the  act  of  setting  fire  to  buildings 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  foreign  factories,  which  it 
was  their  intention  to  destroy,  were  put  in  pairs  in 
large  double  Cangues  and  were  thus  exposed,  in  sev- 
eral of  the  greatest  thoroughfares  near  the  factories,  to 
the  gaze  of  passers  by,  to  be  starved  to  death.  To  add 
to  their  sufferings  they  were  placed  within  smell  of 
the  savory  streams  arising  from  numerous  travelling 
cooking  establishments  in  their  vicinity.  Their  own 
countrymen  made  no  offers  of  assistance  to  them,  and 
the  efforts  of  some  benevolent  foreigners  to  supply 
them  with  food  were  resisted  by  the  underlings,  hav- 
ing the  prisoners  in  charge,  who  remarked  that  it 
would  only  prolong  their  sufferings.  In  this  way 
they  perished,  one  by  one,  and  several  were  seen  with 
their  eyes  fixed,  in  the  vacant  stare  of  death,  and  de- 
cay stealing  rapidly  over  their  bodies,  while  a stronger 
fellow  prisoner  fastened  to  them  was  still  lingering 
out  a loathsome  existence.  In  this  manner  the  dead 
remained  in  the  Cangue  until  nightfall,  when  they 
were  inspected  by  a Mandarin  and  removed,  for  inter- 
ment. 

The  third  class  of  punishment  is  transportation  of 
the  offender  to  various  distances,  not  exceeding  fifty 
leagues,  and  for  different  lengths  of  time,  from  his 
home,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence.  There 
is  also  a scale  of  punishment  with  the  bamboo,  cor- 
responding to  the  distance  and  duration  of  temporary 
banishment ; for  instance,  sixty  blows  correspond  to  a 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


39 


Exile  and  Capital  Punishments. 

year,  and  seventy  to  a year  and  a hal£  advancing  thus 
ten  blows  for  each  half  year. 

The  fourth  class  of  punishment  is  exile  beyond  the 
Chinese  frontier,  temporarily,  or  for  life.  Criminals 
are  often  banished  to  Ee-ly,  the  principal  seat  of  Chi- 
nese rule  in  Mongol  Tartary,  and  are  generally  con- 
demned to  military  service,  or  made  slaves  to  the  Tar- 
tars. This  is  often  the  fate  of  the  highest  officers  of 
the  government  who  happen  to  displease  their  master, 
and  several  Hong  merchants  and  linguists  have  been 
sent  there  from  Canton,  but  those  having  wealthy 
friends  find  it  no  hard  matter  to  make  their  residence 
in  “the  cold  country”  a pleasant  one.  Transporta- 
tion, if  the  criminal  is  a Tartar,  is  in  some  instances 
commuted  for  the  Cangue,  to  which  a scale  of  the 
time  to  be  worn,  graduated  to  different  distances,  is 
adapted. 

The  three  capital  punishments,  constituting  the  fifth 
class,  are,  strangling,  beheading,  and  a slow  and  igno- 
minious death,  sometimes  termed  cutting  into  ten 
thousand  pieces.  “ In  all  ordinary  cases,  the  execu- 
tions throughout  the  Empire  are  postponed  until  the 
autumnal  assize,  when  the  Emperor  confirms  the  sen- 
tences of  the  provincial  officers.  But  for  extraordi- 
nary offences,  such  as  robbery  attended  with  murder, 
arson,  rape,  breaking  into  fortifications,  violence  by 
banditti  of  one  hundred  persons,  highway  robbery  and 
piracy,  the  offenders  may  be  beheaded  immediately.” 
Strangulation  (in  Chinese  Keaou  ‘the  silken  twist’)  is 
considered  the  least  disgraceful  mode  of  execution,  as 
by  it  the  body  is  preserved  whole  for  interment ; in- 
deed so  great  is  the  solicitude  of  the  Chinese  on  this 
point,  that  many  preserve  the  broken  pieces  of  their 
finger  nails,  which  they  sometime  allow  to  grow  to 
such  inordinate  lengths,  to  be  interred  with  them. 
The  least  crime  for  which  strangulation  is  assigned,  is 


40 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


Punishment  for  Treason,  Substitutes  allowed  for  Criminals. 

a third  theft,  and  effacing  the  brands  affixed  for  the 
former  two.  It  is  inflicted  upon  a heavy  upright  wood- 
en cross,  by  twisting  a cord  tight  around  the  ankles 
and  staff,  then  the  waist,  the  wrists,  and  lastly  the 
neck.  Bribes  are  given  to  shorten  the  sufferings  by 
driving  a poignard  to  the  heart  or  twisting  the  cord 
first  around  the  neck.  Pirates  and  murderers,  in  ad- 
dition to  beheading,  have  their  heads  exposed  in  small 
cages,  suspended  on  poles,  in  public  places.  Crimi- 
nals who  undergo  this  extreme  punishment  are  con- 
veyed to  the  execution  ground  in  baskets,  with  their 
names  and  sentences  written  on  long  slips  of  wood 
attached  to  their  backs,  and  are  placed  upon  their 
knees,  facing  towards  the  imperial  court  at  Peking, 
with  heads  bowed,  in  token  of  submission ; one  blow 
from  the  sword  of  the  executioner  and  the  head  is 
severed  from  the  body,  and  the  immortal  spirit  sent 
“unannointed  and  unannealed  ” into  the  presence  of 
its  Maker. 

Offences  against  the  Emperor  being  considered  the 
most  aggravated,  the  punishment  inflicted  is  the  most 
cruel  and  ignominious,  and  is  that  of  slowly  cutting 
to  pieces.  Parricide  (“  which  ranks  as  petit  treason”) 
sacrilege,  and  some  other  crimes,  are  punished  in  the 
same  way;  but  in  the  first  instance  not  only  the  trai- 
tor (either  principal  or  accessory,)  but  his  innocent 
family  is  immolated  for  his  crime ; his  sons,  even  of 
tender  age,  are  strangled,  and  the  females  of  his  fam- 
ily sold  into  bondage  in  provinces  far  distant  from 
their  home,  and  the  law,  not  to  be  robbed  of  its  vic- 
tims even  by  death,  drags  those  who  have  been  guilty 
of  treason  from  the  grave,  and  inflicts  the  same  indig- 
nities upon  their  inanimate,  and  oftentimes,  putrid 
bodies  that  it  demanded  while  in  life. 

One  curious  feature  in  Chinese  law  is,  that  substi- 
tutes are  allowed  even  for  criminals  condemned  to  de- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  III. 


41 


Chinese  Prisons , Patriarchal  Form,  of  Government. 

capitation,  and,  incredible  as  it  may  appear,  men  are 
to  be  found  in  this  populous  country  to  suffer  under 
the  hands  of  the  executioner  in  the  place  of  another 
for  a small  competency  for  their  families,  and  men  al- 
ways stand  ready  at  the  courts,  the  skin  on  the  ex- 
tremity of  whose  bodies  has  long  been  callous  to  the 
bamboo,  to  become  substitutes  for  those  who  are  able 
to  pay.  The  price  formerly  charged,  we  have  been 
informed  by  a native,  was  one  dollar  a blow,  but  com- 
petition, it  appears,  has  affected  this  business  as  well 
as  others,  and  the  charge  is  now  only  half  that  sum. 
Our  informant  further  told  us  that  he  had  seen  one 
man  receive  in  succession,  without  rising  from  his 
position,  (face  downwards  upon  the  ground,)  the  pun- 
ishment due  to  three. 

Chinese  prisons,  styled  by  them  Ty-yo,  or  hell,  are 
very  severe,  and  prolonged  imprisonments  in  them 
are  the  most  frequent  instruments  of  judicial  injustice. 
“ Women  in  ordinary  cases,  enjoy  the  fortunate  ex- 
emption of  being  placed  as  criminals  in  the  custody 
of  their  nearest  relations,  who  are  answerable  for  them 
and  in  this  manner  they  escape  the  farther  contami- 
nation of  vice  in  a prison.”  Mutual  responsibility  per- 
vades the  Empire,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  and 
serves  to  keep  the  ponderous  machinery  in  order. 
Neighborhoods  are  divided  into  tens  and  hundreds,  in 
charge  of  responsible  men  selected  from  amongst 
them  ; these  report  to  the  inferior  Mandarins,  who  are 
amenable  to  the  superior  ones,  and  thus  the  scale  as- 
cends and  ends  only  in  the  supreme  head  the  Empe- 
ror. To  such  extent  is  the  patriarchal  form  of  govern- 
ment carried,  that  “ fathers  have  virtually  the  powers 
of  life  and  death  over  their  children  ; for,  even  if  they 
kill  them  designedly,  they  are  subject  to  only  the 
chastisement  of  the  bamboo,  and  a year’s  banishment ; 
if  struck  by  them  to  no  punishment  at  all.  The  pen- 


42 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  III. 


China  compared  ivith  other  Countries  by  a European  and  a Chinese. 

alty  for  striking  parents,  or  cursing  them,  is  death,  as 
among  the  Hebrews.  In  practice,  it  does  not  appear 
that  this  absolute  power  bestowed  on  fathers  is  pro- 
ductive of  evil ; the  natural  feeling  being  upon  the 
whole,  a sufficient  security  against  its  abuse.” 

Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  some  of  the  laws  of 
China,  Mr.  Ellis,  who  is  quoted  by  Davis  from  Sir 
George  Staunton,  as  one  “ whose  acquaintance  with 
Persia,  India  and  China,  rendered  him  a peculiarly 
competent  judge,  pronounces  China  superior  to  the 
other  countries  of  Asia,  both  in  the  arts  of  government, 
and  the  general  aspect  of  society;  and  adds  that  the 
laws  are  more  generally  known,  and  more  equally  ad- 
ministered : and  that  those  examples  of  oppression, 
accompanied  with  the  infliction  of  barbarous  punish- 
ment, which  offend  the  eye  and  distress  the  feelings 
of  the  most  hurried  traveller  in  other  Asiatic  countries, 
are  scarcely  to  be  met  with  in  China,”  and  Davis  just- 
ly remarks,  “ that  a country  cannot,  upon  the  whole, 
be  very  ill-governed,  whose  subjects  write  in  the  style 
of  Tien-kee-she,  a Chinese,  as  follows:  “I  felicitate 
myself  that  I was  bom  in  China ; it  constantly  occurs 
to  me,  what  if  I had  been  born  beyond  the  sea,  in 
some  remote  part  of  the  earth,  where  the  cold  freezes, 
or  the  heat  scorches ; where  the  people  are  clothed 
with  the  leaves  of  plants,  eat  wood,  dwell  in  the  wil- 
derness, lie  in  holes  of  the  earth,  are  far  removed  from 
the  converting  maxims  of  the  ancient  Kings,  and  are 
ignorant  of  the  domestic  relations.  Though  bom  as 
one  of  the  generation  of  men,  I should  not  have  been 
different  from  a beast.  But  how  happily  I have  been 
bom  in  China  ! I have  a house  to  live  in,  have  drink 
and  food,  and  commodious  furniture.  I have  clothing 
and  caps,  and  infinite  blessings.  Truly  the  highest 
felicity  is  mine.” 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


43 


CASE  IV. 


Teacher  seated  at  his  table. 

Pupil  reciting  his  lesson. 

Priest  of  Fo  or  Budlia  seated, 
do.  the  Taou  sect  standing. 

Paintings  of  Gods , Sages  and  Worthies  suspended  at  the 
back  of  the  case. 

Chinese  Tomb. 

• do.  Coffin. 

Mourning  Dress. 

Pair  of  Mourning  Lanterns. 


Here  are  to  be  seen  the  teachers  of  the  three  most 
prominent  religions  of  the  Chinese.  The  first  is  a 
disciple  of  Koong-foo-tsze,  or  Confucius  (as  his  name 
has  been  latinized  by  the  Jesuits,)  who  is  worshipped 
as  a god  in  China,  and  whose  system  of  ethics  is  the 
favorite  religion  of  the  better  classes  of  the  people  and 
constitutes  the  principal  part  of  their  education. 

The  young  lad  in  front  of  the  table,  is  reciting  his 
lesson  in  Chinese  fashion,  with  his  back  to  the  teacher. 
On  the  table  are  the  works  studied  by  young  persons, 
writing  apparatus,  and  the  rod,  that  universal  persuader 
throughout  the  world,  and  most  direct  mode  of  appeal- 
ing to  the  feelings  of  the  young. 

The  Priest  of  Budha,  whose  tonsure  extends  to  the 
whole  head,  is  seated  in  his  chair,  with  a rosary  in 
one  hand,  and  small  whisk  brush  in  the  other,  in  a 
state  of  mental  abstraction,  awaiting  his  absorption 
into  nonenity,  which  his  creed  teaches  him  is  the 
summit  of  happiness;  far  above  Heaven.  This  figure 
is  an  excellent  likeness  of  a former  Abbot,  of  the  cel- 


44 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Confucius  and  his  Doctrines. 

ebrated  Honam  Jos  house,  who  was  much  venerated 
by  the  padries  of  the  establishment. 

The  Priest  of  Taou,  or  Laou-keun  and  Laou-tsze 
(the  old  infant)  as  the  founder  of  this  sect  was  called, 
because  born  with  white  hair,  differs  but  little  in  his 
garb  from  the  devotee  to  Bndlia,  he  has  the  same 
rosary  and  whisk  brush,  but  is  distinguished  from  him 
by  his  queue,  or  tail,  and  from  his  countrymen  in  the 
manner  of  doing  up  this  curious  appendage,  with  a 
skewer  and  in  a small  wooden  cup. 

The  brushes  in  the  hands  of  both  these  priests  are 
necessary  in  the  cells  of  the  temples,  where  they  re- 
side, which  are  badly  ventilated,  and  in  summer  swarm 
with  musquitoes,  against  whose  insinuating  advances, 
not  even  Budhistic  absorption  is  proof 

The  paintings  of  gods  on  the  wall  are  a few  of  the 
immense  number  to  seen,  set  up  in  peculiar  frames, 
in  the  hongs  and  large  stores  in  the  cities.  The  paint- 
ings of  sages  and  worthies  are  of  a style  much  es- 
teemed by  the  Chinese. 

Confucianism  is  the  principal  or  State  religion  of 
China  and  that  patronized  by  those  who  make  any 
pretensions  to  learning.  The  stability  of  the  patriar- 
chal form  of  government  in  China,  notwithstanding 
the  many  revolutions  which  have  taken  place  is  un- 
doubtedly owing  to  the  strong  hold  which  the  moral 
maxims  of  the  sage  Koong-foo-tsze  has  upon  the 
minds  of  the  people.  His  system  of  ethics  formed 
several  centuries  before  the  Christian  era,  are  rather 
of  a political  than  religious  cast,  and  Dr.  Morrison 
observes,  “ a family  is  the  prototype  of  his  nation  or 
empire,  and  he  lays  at  the  bottom  of  his  system,  not 
the  visionary  notions  of  independence  and  equality, 
but  principles  of  dependence  and  subordination,  as  of 
children  to  parents,  the  younger  to  the  elder,  and  so 
on.  These  principles  are  perpetually  inculcated  in 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  IV. 


45 


Veneration  paid  to  Confucius. 

the  Confucian  writings,  as  well  as  embodied  in  solemn 
ceremonials,  and  in  apparently  trivial  forms  of  mere 
etiquette.  It  is  probably  this  feature  of  his  doctrines, 
that  has  made  him  such  a favorite  with  all  the  gov- 
ernments of  China  for  many  centuries  past  and  down 
to  this  day.  These  principles  and  these  forms  are 
early  instilled  into  young  minds,  and  form  the  basis 
of  their  moral  sentiments ; the  elucidation  and  en- 
forcement of  these  principles  and  forms  are  the  busi- 
ness of  students,  who  aspire  to  be  magistrates,  or 
statesmen,  and  of  the  wealthy,  who  desire  nominal 
rank  in  the  country ; and  it  is  in  all  likelihood,  owing 
chiefly  to  the  influence  of  these  principles  on  the 
national  mind  and  conscience,  that  China  holds  to- 
gether the  largest  associated  population  in  the  world.” 

It  is  striking,  to  witness  the  veneration  paid  to 
Koong-foo-tsze  at  the  present  day,  notwithstanding  a 
period  of  2,300  years  has  passed  away,  since  his  death. 
His  title  “the  most  holy  teacher  of  ancient  time,”  was 
given  to  him  during  the  Ming  dynasty,  and  is  contin- 
ued by  the  Tartars,  who  now  sit  upon  the  throne. 
There  are  1,560  temples  in  the  empire,  dedicated  to 
his  memory,  and  the  government  annually  sacrifices 
to  his  manes,  6 bullocks,  27,000  pigs,  5,800  sheep, 
2,800  deer,  and  27,000  rabbits,  making  a total  of  62,- 
606  victims,  in  addition  to  which,  27,600  pieces  of 
silk  are  offered  at  the  same  time.  At  the  sacrifices  at 
Peking,  the  Emperor  himself  does  him  homage,  and 
the  magistrates  and  all  the  learned  throughout  other 
parts  of  the  land ; and  in  all  the  school  rooms  in  this 
vast  empire,  his  name,  inscribed  on  tablets,  is  hung 
lip,  to  which,  the  scholars  pay  their  daily  respects 
after  saluting  the  teacher,  and  before  which,  they 
burn  incense  morning  and  evening.  Such  are  some 
of  the  honors  paid  to  this  ancient  sage,  who,  undoubt- 
edly, has  influenced  a larger  proportion  of  the  whole 
human  race  than  any  other  pagan  philosopher. 


46 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Schools  and.  Teachers. 

Some  of  the  moral  maxims  and  advice  contained 
in  the  works  of  Ivoong-foo-tsze,  are  most  excellent. 
“There  are  three  things,”  said  he,  “to  beware  of 
through  life.  When  a man  is  young,  let  him  beware 
of  his  appetites  ; when  middle  aged  of  his  passions ; 
and,  when  old,  of  covetousness  especially.”  And 
upon  being  asked  if  any  one  word  would  answer  as  a 
guide  for  a person’s  actions  during  life,  he  replied 
“ will  not  the  word  Shoo  serve  ? and  explained  its 
meaning  by,  “do  unto  others  as  you  would  they 
should  do  unto  you.”  He  said  little  about  a future 
state  of  existence,  and  when  questioned  by  one  of  his 
disciples  upon  the  subject,  recalled  his  attention  to 
material  things  by  replying,  “ not  knowing  the  state 
of  the  living,  how  can  you  know  the  state  of  the 
dead  ? ” and  his  universal  maxim  was,  “ Respect  the 
gods,  but  keep  them  at  a distance.” 

Owing  to  the  number  who  annually  try  their  for- 
tunes at  the  literary  examinations  and  fail  to  attain 
degrees,  teachers  are  plenty,  and  although  respected 
according  to  their  attainments,  their  pay  is  generally 
small ; not  ordinarily  exceeding  ten  or  fifteen  dollars 
per  month  in  the  common  schools,  but  in  private  es- 
tablishments it  is  much  more.  In  the  high  schools, 
or  colleges,  the  number  of  pupils  sometimes  rises  to 
hundreds ; in  the  common  schools  it  varies  from  ten 
to  forty.  The  pupils  assemble  at  sunrise  and  remain 
till  ten  o’clock,  when  an  hour  is  allowed  for  breakfast, 
after  which  their  studies  are  resumed  and  continue 
till  four  or  five  o’clock ; they  are  then  dismissed,  gen- 
erally, to  reassemble  at  early  lamp-lighting  to  pore 
over  their  books  again  until  nine  o’clock.  The  mas- 
ter occupies  an  elevated  seat  and  the  boys  set  facing 
him  at  separate  tables;  there  are  no  classes,  each 
pupil  reciting  his  lesson  separately;  all  study  aloud  to 
enable  the  master  to  discover  when  they  are  engaged 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


47 


Origin  of  JBudhism. 

with  their  lessons,  and  raising  their  voices  to  a high  key 
make  a noise  which  can  be  heard  in  the  streets  for  some 
distance.  “ Severity,”  observes  a writer  in  the  Chi- 
nese Repository,  “is  highly  esteemed  by  parents,  who 
seem  to  feel  only  that  their  boys  will  not  receive  their 
full  due ; and  punishments  are  often  and  severely  in- 
flicted. Neglect  in  arriving  punctually  at  school,  or 
in  acquiring  his  lesson  in  a given  time,  together  with 
any  kind  of  misbehavior,  renders  the  pupil  liable  to 
punishment,  by  reproof,  chastisement,  or  expulsion.” 

Budhism,  which  took  its  rise  in  India  several  cen- 
turies prior  to  the  appearance  of  Koong-foo-tsze  and 
Laou-Iveun  in  China,  was  at  one  time  the  prevailing 
religion  of  that  country,  but  a fierce  persecution  which 
took  place  during  the  sixth  century  of  our  era,  nearly 
exterminated  or  expelled  its  followers  from  Hindos- 
tan.  It  was  introduced  into  China  in  A.  D.  65  or  66, 
during  the  reign  of  Ming-ty,  an  Emperor  of  the  Han 
dynasty,  who,  says  Davis,  “considering  a certain  say- 
ing of  Confucius  to  be  prophetic  of  some  saint  to  be 
discovered  in  the  west,  sent  emissaries  to  seek  him 
out.  On  reaching  India  they  discovered  the  sect  of 
the  Budhists,  and  brought  back  some  of  them  with 
their  idols  and  books  to  China.” 

The  Budhists  believe  in  a future  state  of  existence 
and  in  the  metempsycosis  or  transmigration  of  souls 
as  a reward  to  the  virtuous  and  punishment  to  the 
guilty.  The  paradise  of  Budha,  as  described  in  one 
of  their  works  quoted  by  Medhurst,  “ is  of  yellow 
gold.  Its  gardens  and  palaces  are  all  adorned  with 
gems.  It  is  encircled  with  rows  of  trees,  and  borders 
of  network.  There  are  lovely  birds  of  sparkling  plu- 
mage and  exquisite  notes.  The  great  God,  O-lo-han, 
the  goddess  of  mercy,  the  unnumbered  Budhas,  the 
host  of  demi-gods,  and  the  sages  of  Heaven  and  earth, 
will  all  be  assembled  in  that  sacred  spot.  But  in  that 


48 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Doctrines  of  the  Budhists. 

kingdom  there  are  no  women,  for  the  women  who 
will  live  in  that  country  are  first  changed  into  men. 
The  inhabitants  are  produced  from  the  lotus  flower, 
and  have  pure  and  fragrant  bodies,  fair  and  well 
formed  countenances,  with  hearts  full  of  wisdom,  and 
without  vexation.  They  dress  not,  and  yet  are  not 
cold ; they  dress,  and  are  not  made  hot.  They  eat 
not,  and  are  not  hungry;  they  eat,  and  yet  never 
know  satiety.  They  are  without  pain  and  sickness, 
and  never  become  old.  Enjoying  themselves  at 
ease,  they  follow  Budha,  gaily  frisking  about  with- 
out trouble.  The  felicity  of  that  kingdom  may  be 
justly  considered  superlative,  and  the  age  of  its  in- 
habitants without  measure.  This  is  the  paradise  of 
the  west,  and  the  way  to  obtain  it,  is  the  most  sim- 
ple imaginable  ; depending  on  one  sentence,  O-me- 
to-Fiih  (Amidah  Budha;)  yet  the  world  will  not  take 
the  trouble  to  seek  this  good  so  easily  attained ; but 
put  on  their  iron  boots,  and  go  in  quest  of  another 
road.’’  Such  is  the  Heaven  of  Budha,  and  such  the 
way  to  obtain  it.  But  if  their  paradise  is  an  inviting 
one,  their  hell  is  the  abode  of  unspeakable  misery ; for 
the  unfortunate  beings  who  are  condemned  to  the  in- 
fernal regions  are  there  torn  in  pieces,  thrown  upon 
hills  of  knives  or  into  boiling  cauldrons,  sawn  asunder, 
fastened  to  pillars  of  red  hot  brass,  and  otherwise  tor- 
mented according  to  their  crimes,  until  transformed 
into  some  of  the  six  grades  of  metempsycosis  again 
revisit  the  earth  to  do  penance. 

“ One  of  the  most  favorite  doctrines  of  Budha  is, 
that  all  things  originated  in  nothing,  and  will  revert  to 
nothing  again.  Hence  annihilation  is  the  summit  of 
bliss ; and  nirupan , nirvana , or  nonentity,  the  grand 
and  ultimate  anticipation  of  all.  Contemplation  and 
abstractness  of  mind,  with  a gradual  obliteration  of 
all  sense  and  feeling,  are  considered  the  nearest  ap- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  IV. 


49 


JSudhism  supported  by  Middle  and  Lower  Classes. 

proaches  to  bliss,  attainable  on  earth;  and  the  de- 
votees of  this  system  aim  and  effect  to  have  no  joys 
or  sorrows,  hopes  or  fears,  sense  or  emotion,  either  of 
body  or  mind ; living  without  looking,  speaking,  hear- 
ing, smelling,  or  feeling ; yea,  without  eating,  and 
without  breathing,  until  they  approach  to  that  envia- 
ble state  of  perfection,  annihilation.  Budha  is  noth- 
ing, and  to  escape  the  various  transmigrations,  to  rise 
above  the  happiness  of  Heaven,  and  to  be  absorbed 
into  Budha,  is  to  be  amalgamated  into  nothing. 
Those  who  have  attained  the  greatest  nearness  to  this 
abstraction,  are  considered  the  most  holy ; and  if  they 
can  manage  to  sustain  life,  without  appearing  to  live, 
they  are  denominated  present  Budhas,  and  worship- 
ped accordingly.  The  world-renouncing  priest,  with 
vacant  stare  and  emaciated  look,  not  deigning  to  re- 
gard anything  in  Heaven  or  on  earth,  receives  divine 
honors  from  the  wondering  bystanders,  who  think 
him  something  more  than  mortal,  because  fast  ap- 
proaching to  nonentity.” 

Budhism  appears  to  be  the  most  popular  religion 
of  the  middle  and  lower  classes,  by  whom  it  is  chiefly 
supported.  Its  priests  are  principally  from  the  latter, 
and  are  sometimes  fugitives  from  justice,  who,  to  es- 
cape the  sword  of  the  executioner,  shave  their  heads, 
disguise  themselves  in  the  garb  of  priests,  and  retiring 
to  the  cells  attached  to  the  Budhist  temples,  elude  the 
search  of  the  Mandarins.  But  their  ranks  are  princi- 
pally filled  with  young  men  who  grow  up  among 
them,  being  placed  in  the  temples  in  childhood  by 
their  parents,  who  consult  a fortune  teller  upon  the 
birth  of  a son,  to  ascertain  his  destiny,  and  being  in- 
formed by  one  of  these  oracles,  that  unless  consecrated 
to  Budha  the  child  will  die  young,  consider  it  useless 
to  contend  against  fate,  and  act  accordingly.  Brought 
up  in  idleness,  without  any  incentive  to  exertion,  they 


50 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Similarity  of  the  rites  of  Budhists  and  Catholics. 

live  principally  by  begging,  their  knowledge  seldom 
extends  beyond  reading  their  prayers  without  under- 
standing them,  and  many  of  those  who  can  afford  it 
are  opium  smokers. 

Many  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  Budhist  religion  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  Roman  Catholics,  as  was  no- 
ticed by  the  early  Jesuits,  who  visited  China  to  con- 
vert her  to  Christianity.  They  shave  the  head,  prac- 
tice celibacy,  profess  poverty,  and  live  in  secluded 
abodes;  they  use  the  rosary,  candles,  incense,  holy 
water,  bells,  images  and  relics,  in  their  worship ; they 
believe  in  purgatory,  with  the  possibility  of  praying 
souls  out  of  its  fires,  their  prayers  are  offered  up  in  a 
strange  language,  their  altar  pieces  are  similar ; and 
the  very  titles  of  their  intercessors,  such  as  ‘goddess 
of  mercy,’  ‘holy  mother,’  and  ‘queen  of  Heaven,’ 
with  the  image  of  a virgin,  having  a child  in  her 
arms,  holding  a cross,  are  the  same. 

This  religion  has  at  times  been  encouraged,  and  at 
others,  its  devotees  have  been  persecuted  by  the  gov- 
ernment. At  present  it  appears  to  be  left  to  its  own 
resources  by  those  in  authority,  except  in  Thibet, 
where  the  Emperor  finds  it  politic  in  governing  the 
Tartar  hordes  to  respect  the  religion  of  the  Lamas, 
which  if  not  Budhism,  is  closely  allied  to  it. 

The  religion  of  Taou,  or  sect  of  Rationalists  was 
founded  by  Laou-keun,  or  Laou-tsze  a contemporary 
of  Confucius,  but  the  Taou  or  Reason  itself,  is  said  to 
be  uncreated  and  to  have  existed  from  eternity,  and 
its  founder  to  have  been  an  incarnation  of  it.  The 
doctors  of  Eternal  Reason  speak  of  and  explain  it  in 
a truly  transcendental  strain.  They  say — 

“ What  is  there  superior  to  heaven,  and  from  which 
heaven  and  earth  sprang?  nay,  what  is  there  supe- 
rior to  space  and  which  moves  in  space  ? The  great 
Taou  is  the  parent  of  space,  and  space  is  the  parent 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


51 


Religion  of  Taou , or  Rationalism. 

of  heaven  and  earth ; and  heaven  and  earth  produce 
men  and  things. 

“The  venerable  prince  (Taou)  arose  prior  to  the 
great  original,  standing  at  the  commencement  of  the 
mighty  wonderful,  and  floating  in  the  ocean  of  deep 
obscurity.  He  is  spontaneous  and  self-existing,  pro- 
duced before  the  beginning  of  emptiness,  commenc- 
ing prior  to  uncaused  existences,  pervading  all  heaven 
and  earth,  whose  beginning  and  end  no  years  can 
circumscribe. 

“ Before  heaven  and  earth  were  divided,  ere  the 
great  principles  of  nature  were  distinguished,  amid 
the  ocean  of  vast  obscurity  and  universal  stillness, 
there  was  a spontaneous  concretion,  out  of  which 
came  a thousand  million  particles  of  primary  matter, 
which  produced  ‘emptiness.’  Then,  after  nine  hun- 
dred and  ninety-nine  billions  of  Kalpas*  had  passed 
away,  the  thousand  million  particles  of  primary  mat- 
ter again  concreted,  and  produced  ‘ space after 
another  period  of  equal  length,  the  particles  of  primary 
matter  again  concreted,  and  produced  ‘ chaos.’  After 
chaos  was  settled,  heaven  and  earth  divided,  and 
human  beings  were  born.” 

“ The  votaries  of  this  sect  talk  a great  deal  about 
virtue,  and  profess  to  promote  it  by  abstraction  from 
the  world,  and  the  repression  of  desire.  They  affect 
to  despise  wealth,  fame  and  posterity ; urging,  that  at 
death  all  these  distinctions  and  advantages  terminate, 
and  the  labor  bestowed  upon  them  is  thrown  away.” 

According  to  their  principles,  as  expressed  in  the 
story  of  Chuang-tsze,  the  principal  disciple  of  Laou- 
keun,  “ riches,  and  the  advantages  which  they  bring, 
are  but  a short  and  agreeable  dream;  honors  and 
reputation  resemble  a brilliant  cloud,  which  soon  van- 


*A  Knlpa  is  a Hindoo  term  for  time  denoting  about  one  thousand  a^es. 


52 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  IV. 


Belief  in  an  Antidote  against  Death. 

ishes.  The  affection  of  those  united  by  blood  and 
other  ties  is  commonly  but  a vain  appearance;  the 
most  tender  friendships  may  convert  themselves  into 
the  bitterest  strifes.  Let  us  not  wear  a yoke  because 
it  is  of  gold ; nor  bear  the  burden  of  chains  because 
they  consist  of  jewels.  Let  us  purify  our  minds, 
moderate  our  desires,  and  detach  ourselves  from 
worldly  affection;  let  us  above  all  things  preserve 
ourselves  in  a state  of  liberty  and  joy,  which  is  inde- 
pendent of  others.” 

Much  of  their  attention  is  taken  up  with  the  study 
of  Alchymy;  and  they  fancy  that  by  the  transmuta- 
tion of  metals,  and  the  combination  of  various  ele- 
ments, they  can  produce  the  philosopher’s  stone,  and 
the  elixir  of  immortality.  Some  of  them  affect  to 
have  discovered  an  antidote  against  death ; and  Avlien 
the  powerful  ingredients  of  this  angelic  portion  some- 
times produce  the  very  effect  which  they  wish  to 
avoid,  they  say  that  the  victims  of  their  experiments 
are  only  gone  to  ramble  among  the  genii,  and  enjoy 
that  immortality  above,  which  is  not  to  be  found  be- 
low. Several  of  the  Chinese  Emperors,  deceived  by 
the  fair  promises  of  some  of  these  alchymists,  have 
taken  the  draught,  and  paid  the  penalty.  One  of 
them  having  procured  the  elixir  at  an  immense  ex- 
pense, ordered  it  to  be  brought  before  him ; when  one 
of  his  officers  courageously  drank  off  the  full  contents 
of  the  cup,  in  its  way  from  the  compounder  to  the 
throne  ; the  enraged  autocrat  ordered  the  offender  to 
be  put  to  death ; but  he  coolly  replied,  that  all  their 
efforts  to  terminate  his  existence  would  be  vain ; as, 
having  drunk  the  elixir,  his  immortality  was  secure, 
or  the  whole  system  was  founded  in  error.  This 
opened  the  Emperor’s  eyes,  the  minister  was  pardon- 
ed, and  the  pretender  driven  from  court. 

The  followers  of  Taou,  like  the  Athenians  of  old, 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


53 


Supernatural  powers  of  Principal  of  Taou  Sect. 

are  “ in  all  things  too  superstitious,”  while  the  Con- 
fucians  have  scarcely  determined  whether  spirits  exist 
or  not,  the  advocates  of  eternal  reason  profess  to  have 
constant  intercourse  with,  and  control  over  the  demons 
of  the  invisible  world.  Chang-Teen-sze,  the  principal 
of  the  Taou  sect  in  China,  who,  like  the  Lama  of 
Thibet,  is  supposed  to  be  immortal,  or  rather  whose 
place  is  supplied  by  a successor  as  soon  as  the  old 
one  dies,  assumes  an  authority  over  Hades.  He  ap- 
points and  removes  the  deities  of  various  districts,  just 
as  the  Emperor  does  his  officers ; and  no  tutelary 
divinity  can  be  worshipped,  or  is  supposed  capable  of 
protecting  his  votaries,  until  the  warrant  goes  forth 
under  the  hand  and  seal  of  this  demon  ruler,  author- 
ising him  to  exercise  his  functions  in  a given  region. 

From  the  power  which  this  individual  is  supposed 
to  possess,  his  handwriting  is  considered  efficacious 
in  expelling  all  noxious  influences ; and  charms  writ- 
ten by  him  are  sold  at  a high  price  to  those  afraid  of 
ghostly  visits  or  unlucky  accidents.  In  the  absence 
of  these  autographs  from  the  prince  of  the  devils,  each 
priest  of  Taou  issues  amulets,  and  large  sums  of  money 
are  realized  by  the  disposal  of  small  scraps  of  yellow 
paper,  with  enigmatical  characters  upon  them.  Hav- 
ing induced  the  belief,  that  this  year’s  imps  are  not  to 
be  terrified  by  last  year’s  charms,  they  are  particularly 
busy  every  new  year,  in  writing  out  fresh  amulets  for 
the  people,  who  would  not  rest  securely  in  their  hab- 
itations, unless  fully  assured  that  the  devil  was  kept 
away  by  these  infallible  preventatives. 

Death  is  with  them  peculiarly  unclean;  and  when- 
ever it  occurs,  brings  a number  of  evil  influences  into 
the  dwelling,  which  are  only  to  be  expelled  by  the 
sacrifices  and  prayers  of  the  priest  of  Taou.  This  is 
what  they  call  cleansing  the  house;  and,  as  it  is  at- 
tended with  some  expense,  many  prefer  turning  lodg- 


54 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Jews,  Mahomedans  and  Christians. 

ers  and  strangers  in  dying  circumstances,  out  of  doors, 
rather  than  have  the  house  haunted  with  ghosts  for 
years  afterwards. 

As  it  is  necessary  to  purify  houses,  so  it  is  import- 
ant to  preserve  districts  from  contagion;  and  with 
this  view  public  sacrifices  are  offered,  to  which  the 
inhabitants  generally  subscribe.  One  of  these  solem- 
nities is  celebrated  on  the  third  day  of  the  third  moon, 
when  the  votaries  of  Taou  go  barefoot  over  ignited 
charcoal,  by  which  they  fancy  that  they  triumph  over 
the  demons  they  dread,  and  please  the  gods  they  adore. 
On  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  the  “ high  emperor 
of  the  sombre  heavens,”  they  assemble  together  before 
the  temple  of  this  imaginary  being,  and  having  made 
a great  fire,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  in  diametei*, 
they  go  over  it  barefoot,  preceded  by  the  priests  and 
bearing  the  gods  in  their  arms.  The  previous  cere- 
monies consist  of  the  chanting  of  prayers,  the  ringing 
of  bells,  the  sprinkling  of  holy  water,  the  blowing  of 
horns,  and  the  brandishing  of  swords,  with  which 
they  strike  the  fire  in  order  to  subdue  the  demon,  and 
then  dash  through  the  devouring  element.  Much 
earnestness  is  manifested  by  those  who  officiate  on 
these  occasions ; and  they  firmly  believe,  that  if  they 
possess  a sincere  mind,  they  will  not  be  injured  by 
the  fire:  but  alas!  their  hearts  must  be  very  bad,  as 
both  priests  and  people  get  miserably  burnt  on  these 
occasions. 

The  Taou  sect  worship  a variety  of  idols,  some  of 
which  are  imaginary  incarnations  of  eternal  reason ; 
and  others,  rulers  of  the  invisible  world,  or  presiding 
divinities  of  various  districts.  Among  the  rest  are 
“ the  three  pure  ones,”  who  are  first  in  dignity ; the 
“pearly  emperor  and  supreme  ruler,”  the  “most  hon- 
orable in  Heaven ; the  god  of  the  north,  the  god  of 
fire,  with  lares,  and  penates,  genii  and  inferior  divini- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


55 


First  Introduction  of  Christianity. 

ties  without  number.”*  This  is  by  far  the  least  pop- 
ular of  the  three  principal  religions. 

In  addition  to  the  denominations  already  mentioned, 
there  are  also  Jews,  Mahomedans  and  Christians,  in 
China.  The  former  have  a synagogue  at  Kae-fang- 
foo,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Honan,  and  are  said 
to  have  entered  the  country  200  years  before  Christ, 
of  whom,  when  visited  by  Pere  Gozani  in  1707,  they 
were  ignorant.  They  are  called  by  the  Chinese  Tiao- 
Kin-Kiao  (the  sect  that  extracts  the  sinew.) 

The  Mahomedans  are  a more  numerous  sect. 
They  first  entered  China  during  the  seventh  century, 
and  are  now  to  be  met  with  in  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, where  they  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  the  rest 
of  the  Emperor’s  subjects,  and  are  fully  admitted  to 
government  offices.  They  are  said  to  number  as 
many  as  3,000  in  the  city  of  Canton,  where  they  have 
a Mosque,  which  with  its  lofty  pagoda,  or  minaret,  is 
a conspicuous  object  in  a Anew  of  the  city  from  the 
river.  Unlike  their  Chinese  brethren  they  disclaim 
idolatry. 

Christianity,  according  to  the  researches  of  the 
learned,  was  early  introduced  into  China  ; and  Asse- 
mannus  affirms  that  Thomas,  the  apostle,  having  done 
much  for  the  establishment  of  the  Christian  faith  in 
India  passed  over  to  a country  on  the  east,  called 
China,  where  he  preached  the  Gospel,  and  founded  a 
church  in  the  city  of  Cambula  (Peking :)  after  which 
he  returned  to  Malabar. 

The  next  intimation  of  the  introduction  of  Christ- 
ianity into  China,  is  given  in  the  famous  marble  tab- 
let, which  was  dug  up  at  Se-gnan-foo  in  the  year 
1625.  The  inscription,  in  Chinese  and  Syriac,  des- 
cribes the  principal  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  com- 


Medhurst. 


56 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  IV. 


Roman  Catholics  in  China . 

mences  by  stating  the  existence  of  the  living  and  true 
God,  the  creation  of  the  world,  the  fall  of  man,  and 
the  mission  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  further  states,  that  in 
A.  D.  636,  a Nestorian  Christian  teacher  came  from 
Ta-tsin,  (the  Chinese  name  for  Arabia  and  India)  to 
China;  and  that  the  Emperor,  after  examining  his 
doctrines,  authorized  the  preaching  of  Christianity 
among  the  people.  A fac  simile  of  this  tablet  is  to  be 
seen  in  the  library  of  the  Vatican  at  Rome. 

The  Nestorians,  according  to  Moshiem,  penetrated 
into  China  about  the  end  of  the  seventh  century,  and 
established  several  churches.  In  the  time  of  Genghis- 
Khan,  they  were  scattered  over  Tartary  where  they 
flourished  till  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury, when  they  were  probably  nearly  exterminated 
by  the  celebrated  Tartar  conqueror,  Timur  or  Tamer- 
lane, a staunch  Mehomedan  and  sworn  enemy  to  all 
Infidels,  whose  head  was  adorned  with  twenty-seven 
crowns,  the  spoils  of  conquered  kings ; and  who  as- 
pired to  the  dominion  of  the  world. 

The  Roman  Catholics  first  entered  China  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  thirteenth  century,  and  during  the 
next  hundred  years  had  a fine  opportunity  of  propa- 
gating their  religion,  but  quarrelling  with  the  Nesto- 
rians, it  is  supposed  they  made  but  few  converts, 
and  were  persecuted  and  expelled  in  common  with 
the  latter  by  the  Mahomedans. 

The  empire  appears  to  have  been  neglected  by  the 
Christian  world,  from  this  period  until  the  middle  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  when  the  Jesuits  first  made 
their  appearance.  Our  limits  will  not  admit  of  a de- 
tailed history  of  their  success.  From  that  period  to 
the  present  they  have  at  times  been  in  high  favor  at 
court,  counting  their  converts  by  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands, some  of  them,  the  powerful  of  the  land,  and 
even  members  of  the  imperial  family,  and  at  others, 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


57 


First  Protestant  Missionary. 

they  have  been  persecuted  unto  death.  These  perse- 
cutions were  brought  upon  them  in  some  instances 
by  the  Budhists  and  Taouists,  and  in  others,  by  their 
own  zeal  bringing  them  in  contact  with  the  doctrines 
of  the  deified  Koong-foo-tsze ; but  the  expulsion  of 
the  Catholics  from  the  interior  of  the  Empire  is  mainly 
attributable  to  disputes  arising  amongst  the  different 
orders  of  Jesuits,  Dominicians,  &c.  They  are  still 
prohibited  from  entering  the  Celestial  Empire,  or  dis- 
seminating their  doctrines  amongst  the  Chinese,  and 
in  1820,  a French  missionary  Avas  strangled  in  the 
province  of  Hoopih,  by  order  of  the  government. 
Notwithstanding  the  risk  they  run  they  continue  to 
labor  secretly  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Romish  re- 
ligion in  China,  and  have  missionaries  and  Catholic 
communities  in  many  of  the  provinces,  and  even  in 
Peking  they  are  said  to  number  26,000  members  un- 
der the  care  of  tAvo  French  priests.  Among  the  Cath- 
olic missionaries,  many  have  proved  themselves  men 
of  great  zeal,  splendid  talents,  and  finished  scholars, 
and  have  rendered  the  Empire  good  service  as  astron- 
omers and  engineers. 

The  first  Protestant  missionary  to  China,  Avas  Dr. 
Morrison,  who  Avas  sent  out  by  the  London  Mission- 
ary Society,  and  arrived  in  China  in  1807,  where  he 
remained  till  his  death.  He  succeeded  in  translating: 
the  scriptures  into  Chinese,  wrote  several  minor  Avorks 
on  the  language,  and  formed  a copious  Chinese  and 
English  dictionary.  The  English  and  American  Mis- 
sionaries, Avho  have  gone  out  since,  have  added  to  the 
foundation  commenced  by  Morrison,  and  the  works 
of  Med  hurst,  Bridgman,  Williams,  and  others,  are  val- 
uable aids  to  the  student.  We  believe  that  thus  far, 
no  Protestant  missionary  has  penetrated  into  the  in- 
terior ; but  confined  as  they  are  to  the  borders  of  the 

Empire,  they  have  been  diligent  in  founding  schools, 

8 


53 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Places  of  Burial,  lombs  and  Coffins. 

hospitals,  and  printing  presses,  and  in  publishing  and 
disseminating  the  gospel  and  tracts  among  its  myriads 
of  idolaters.  Their  works  are  sent  into  the  interior  by 
every  opportunity,  and  in  this  respect,  the  hospitals 
are  of  great  assistance,  as  many  of  the  patients,  hear- 
ing of  the  wonderful  cures  performed  by  Dr.  Parker, 
at  Canton,  and  the  medical  missionaries  at  other 
places,  come  from  a great  distance  for  relief,  and  the 
wants  of  the  soul  and  body  are  administered  to  at  the 
same  time. 

The  coffin  seen  here,  which  may  seem  to  the  vis- 
itor to  be  very  large,  is  one  rather  under  the  ordinary 
size.  Some  of  them  are  made  of  immense  slabs  of 
sandal,  or  other  foreign  odoriferous  wood,  and  cost 
large  sums.  It  is  said  that  Houqua’s  coffin  cost  one 
thousand  dollars,  and  that  it  is  not  unusual  for  the  rich 
to  pay  this  price.  In  these  large  boxes,  made  air 
tight  with  chunam  and  varnished  inside  and  out,  the 
remains  of  the  wealthy  are  often  kept  above  ground 
many  years,  awaiting  the  decision  of  the  geomancers, 
concerning  the  fortunate  day  and  place  of  interment, 
which  is  supposed  to  have  a great  influence  upon  the 
future  fortunes  of  the  family.  Water  and  white  ants 
are  the  two  things  principally  to  be  avoided  in  the  se- 
lection of  a place  of  burial ; and  as  the  Chinese  do 
not  allow  interments  in  cities  and  villages,  the  burial 
grounds  generally  occupy  barren  hills,  which  are 
covered  with  tombs  similar  to  the  one  seen  here.  All 
of  them  are  in  the  exact  form  of  the  si,  (omega)  and, 
as  Davis  remarks,  if  taken  in  the  sense  of  “ the  end,” 
it  is  an  odd  accidental  coincidence.  To  perform  “ the 
rites  at  the  hills ” is  synonymous  with  “the  tombs  in 
Chinese,”  so  universally  are  elevated  spots  of  ground, 
selected  for  cemeteries. 

According  to  the  Chinese  Repository,  “ when  a 
Chinese  is  at  the  point  of  death,  his  friends  put  a piece 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


59 


Superstitious  Funeral  Ceremonies. 

of  silver  to  his  mouth,  and  carefully  cover  his  nose 
and  ears,  superstitious  practices  calculated  to  aggra- 
vate his  disease  and  hasten  his  death.  Scarcely  is  he 
dead,  when  they  make  a hole  in  the  top  of  the  house, 
in  order  to  allow  the  spirits  which  have  escaped  from 
his  body,  greater  facility  of  exit,  and  then  hasten  to 
bring  the  priests  to  commence  their  prayers.  When 
they  come,  they  at  first  set  up  the  tablet  of  the  de- 
parted soul  by  the  side  of  the  coffin,  at  the  foot  of 
which  is  a table  loaded  with  meat,  lamps,  and  per- 
fumes. All  those  who  come  to  condole  with  the 
mourners,  and  to  assist  at  the  funeral,  enter  the  hall 
where  the  corpse  is  placed  and  prostrate  themselves 
before  the  table.  Out  of  the  house,  suspended  upon 
bamboos,  numerous  burning  papers  upon  which  fig- 
ures are  traced,  are  seen  fluttering  in  the  breeze. 
While  the  priests  are  reciting  their  prayers,  (which  is 
generally  during  several  days,)  beating  time  as  they 
say  them,  none  of  the  viands  are  eaten.  The  priests 
from  time  to  time,  call  upon  all  to  weep,  and  there- 
upon relatives  and  visitors  approach  the  corpse,  and 
nothing  is  heard  but  sobs  and  groans.  Amid  these 
preliminaries  to  the  funeral  repast,  if  a new  comer  ar- 
rives, and  proceeds  to  weep  over  the  corpse,  all  the 
rest  must  join  with  him.  Meantime,  the  priests,  by 
force  of  their  prayers  make  a breach  in  the  nether 
world,  for  the  escape  of  the  departed  spirit.  It  always 
goes  there  on  leaving  the  body,  and  they  know  in 
what  part  of  Tartarus  it  is  detained,  and  what  it  suf- 
fers. The  soul,  when  once  out  of  hell,  has  to  pass 
over  a bridge,  built  across  a river  of  blood,  filled  with 
serpents,  and  other  venomous  creatures.  This  passage 
is  dangerous,  because  that  upon  the  bridge  there  are 
devils  lying  in  wait  to  throw  it  into  the  accursed 
stream.  But  at  length  the  soul  passes  over,  and  the 
priests  give  it  a letter  of  recommendation  to  one  of 


60 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IV. 


Mode  of  Burial.  Period  of  Mourning. 

the  ministers  of  Budha,  who  will  procure  it  a reception 
into  the  western  heavens.  According  to  the  doctrine 
of  the  priests,  every  man  has  three  souls;  the  first 
comes  to  live  in  the  body  in  some  of  the  forms  of 
transmigration ; the  second  goes  to  Hades ; and  the 
third  resides  in  the  tablet,  which  has  been  prepared 
for  it.” 

On  the  expiration  of  twenty-one  days  the  funeral 
procession  generally  takes  place,  the  tablet  being  con- 
veyed in  a gilded  sedan,  or  pavilion,  with  incense  and 
offerings  before  it,  and  accompanied  by  music  resem- 
bling the  Scotish  bag-pipe,  with  the  continual  repeti- 
tion of  three  successive  strokes  on  a sort  of  drum. 
The  relations  of  both  sexes  follow,  clad  in  such  suits 
of  coarse,  brown  grass  cloth,  and  strips  of  the  same 
material,  as  are  seen  in  this  case.  The  coffin  is  car- 
ried by  four  men,  or  oftener  by  eight  on  account  of 
its  weight,  and  is  preceded  by  one  or  two  who  go 
before  the  procession,  and  throw  pieces  of  paper  in 
the  road,  to  purchase  a free  passage  for  the  corpse,  for 
fear  that  it  should  be  stopped  by  spirits.  When  they 
reach  the  place  of  sepulture,  which  has  been  inspect- 
ed and  pronounced  good,  they  bury  the  dead  under  a 
discharge  of  rockets  and  crackers.  “ After  the  inter- 
ment, the  tablet  of  the  deceased  is  brought  back  in 
procession,  and,  if  the  family  be  rich,  it  is  placed  in 
the  hall  of  ancestors  ; if  poor  in  some  part  of  the  house, 
with  incense  before  it.”  In  any  case  a feast  is  made 
in  memory  and  honor  of  the  deceased,  at  which  every- 
body is  admitted,  and  if  the  family  are  in  easy  circum- 
stances, it  is  a good  windfall  to  the  poor  of  the  neigh- 
borhood who  all  assemble  on  the  occasion.  “ The 
original  and  strict  period  of  mourning  (according  to 
the  ritual)  is  three  years  for  a parent,  but  this  is  com- 
monly reduced  in  practice  to  thrice  nine,  or  twenty- 
seven  months,  during  which  an  officer  of  the  highest 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


61 


Figures  and  Articles  in  Case  V. 

rank  must  retire  to  his  house,  unless  under  a particu- 
lar dispensation  from  the  Emperor.  The  full  period 
of  three  years  must  elapse  before  children  can  marry 
subsequent  to  the  death  of  their  parents.  During  the 
period  of  mourning,  the  ornamental  ball,  denoting 
rank,  is  taken  from  the  cap,  as  well  as  the  tuft  of 
crimson  silk  which  falls  over  the  latter.  As  the  Chi- 
nese shave  their  heads,  the  neglect  and  desolation  of 
mourning  are  indicated  by  letting  the  hair  grow;  for 
the  same  reason  that  some  nations,  who  wear  their 
hair  long,  shave  it  during  that  period.  On  the  death 
of  the  Emperor,  the  same  observances  are  kept  by  his 
hundreds  of  millions  of  subjects,  as  on  the  death  of 
the  parents  of  each  individual;  the  whole  Empire 
remains  unshaven  for  the  space  of  one  hundred  days, 
while  the  period  of  mourning  apparel  lasts  longer  and 
all  officers  of  government  take  the  hall  and  crimson 
silk  from  their  caps. 


CASE  V. 


Chinaman  smoking  opium. 

Lady  ; wife  of  the  former. 

Female  attendant  with  tea. 

Couch , tables , chairs , tea  poys,  book  case , $*c.,  made  of 
bamboo.  Paintings  on  the  walls.  Lanterns  suspended 
from  the  ceiling.  Door  screen  embroidered  with  gold. 

The  room  in  which  these  figures  are  placed  is  en- 
closed with  a species  of  bamboo  work,  of  a light  and 
tasty  fashion,  much  admired  by  the  Chinese,  who 
construct  entire  houses  in  this  manner  to  ornament 


62 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


Opium  Smoking. 

their  grounds,  and  as  cool  retreats  to  retire  to  in  the 
heat  of  the  summer.  The  furniture  is  made  entirely 
of  bamboo,  as  well  as  the  frames  of  the  lanterns,  and 
serve  to  exhibit  some  of  the  innumerable  uses  to 
which  this  plant  is  applied  in  China,  and  the  ingenu- 
ity and  taste  displayed  in  its  manufacture. 

The  male  figure  here  represents  a person  in  easy 
circumstances,  who  is  somewhat  advanced  in  this 
slavish  habit,  reclining  upon  a couch  with  the  pipe  to 
his  mouth;  and  a tray,  containing  the  prepared  opium 
in  a small  porcelain  box,  the  opium  lamp  with  its 
peculiar  glass  shade,  and  the  small  implements  neces- 
sary to  apply  the  opium  to  the  pipe  and  to  clean  the 
latter  when  requisite.  The  posture  in  which  this 
figure  is  seen  is  that  in  which  all  opium  smokers 
indulge,  and  the  pipe  from  its  peculiar  construction 
is  confined  entirely  to  opium  smoking.  A person 
having  never  seen  this  instrument  used  would  be 
puzzled  to  know  how  to  apply  the  opium ; it  is  as 
follows : a quantity  of  the  prepared  opium,  (which 
looks  like  very  thick  molasses)  about  the  size  of  a 
small  pea,  is  taken  upon  the  point  of  a steel  instru- 
ment and  held  over  the  flame  of  a lamp,  where  it  is 
kept  turning  during  a few  seconds,  it  is  then  applied 
to  the  small  aperture  in  the  top  of  the  large  earthen 
bowl  of  the  pipe  to  which  it  attaches  itself  and  the 
point  of  the  instrument,  after  being  pushed  into  the 
hole  and  turned  round  to  detach  it  from  the  opium,  is 
drawn  out.  It  is  now  ready  for  smoking,  and  the 
person  pressing  the  end  of  the  thick  stem  of  the  pipe 
against  the  partially  opened  lips,  and  holding  the 
opium  on  the  bowl  over  the  light,  inspires  deeply; 
the  smoke  passes  into  the  lungs  and  being  retained 
as  long  as  the  person  can  hold  his  breath  comfortably, 
is  respired  in  a dense  white  cloud  through  the  nostrils 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  V. 


63 


Variety  and  uses  of  the  Bamboo. 

After  a few  whiffs  a new  supply  of  opium  is  neces- 
sary. 

The  wife  of  the  opium  smoker  is  here  seated  near 
him  upon  the  couch  with  the  tobacco  pipe  in  her 
hand,  and  is  about  taking  a cup  of  tea.  Some  of  the 
daughters  of  Han  are  said  to  be  addicted  to  the  use  of 
opium  as  well  as  the  sons ; but  the  proportion  of  the 
former  to  the  latter  is  probably  as  that  of  females  with 
us  who  drink  ardent  spirits  compared  to  the  males. 

The  female  servant  in  this  case  varies  but  little 
from  those  in  the  cases  already  described. 

The  bamboo  ( Bambusa  arundinacca)  is  indigenous 
in  all  the  southern  countries  of  Asia,  in  the  greater 
part  of  China,  and  in  the  West  Indies.  By  long  cul- 
tivation and  care,  it  has  become  sufficiently  hardy  to 
grow  as  far  north  as  Peking,  which  is  in  nearly  the 
same  parallel  with  New  York.  The  bamboo  is  called 
by  the  Chinese  “ C/tw/i,”  and  the  long  period  during 
which  they  have  cultivated  it,  and  the  desire  to  pro- 
cure new  and  singular  kinds  for  the  gardens  of  the 
wealthy,  have  produced  many  varieties.  A Chinese 
botanist,  in  treating  on  this  plant,  observed  in  the  be- 
ginning of  this  book,  that  he  could  not  undertake  so 
much  as  to  name  all  the  varieties,  and  would  there- 
fore confine  himself  to  a consideration  of  sixty-three 
of  the  principal ! 

“ The  usual  height  of  the  bamboo  is  between  40  and 
50  feet,  but  they  sometimes  reach  60  or  70.  The  di- 
ameter varies  from  that  of  pipe  stem  to  seven  and 
eight  inches.  The  color  of  the  outside  is  not  always 
yellow,  but  has  been  made  to  vary  into  chestnut, 
black,  &c.  The  black  bamboo  is  a favorite  in  the 
parterres  and  gardens  of  the  rich.  The  process  by 
which  the  color  has  been  changed,  from  its  natural 
yellow  to  a black,  is  unknown,  except  in  China. 

“ The  bamboo  is  so  useful  to  the  Chinese  and  their 


64 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  V. 


Uses  of  the  Bamboo. 

partiality  for  it  is  so  great,  that  it  may  justly  be  called 
their  national  plant.  The  many  purposes  to  which 
they  apply  it  are  truly  surprising.  They  press  it  into 
use  on  the  water  and  on  the  land.  In  literature  and 
confectionary ; as  well  as  in  navigation  and  clothing, 
this  useful  plant  is  found  necessary.  Its  services  are 
required  in  building  the  house  and  clothing  its  in- 
mates ; and  it  is  indispensable  in  the  school-room  and 
the  police  office.  To  the  agriculturist,  the  carpenter, 
and  the  seaman,  this  plant  serves  many  useful  pur- 
poses. The  young  and  tender  shoots  of  the  bamboo 
are  used  as  a vegetable  for  the  table  in  different  ways ; 
if  cut  as  soon  as  they  appear  above  the  ground,  they 
are  almost  as  tender  and  delicate  as  asparagus.  They 
are  white  and  palatable,  and  when  in  this  state  are 
used  as  pickles,  as  greens,  as  a sweetmeat,  and  as  a 
medicine.  The  fondness  for  these  young  shoots  is  so 
general,  that  they  are  made  articles  of  commerce,  and 
are  sent  to  the  capital  and  all  parts  of  the  empire. 
They  often  form  a part  in  the  feasts  of  the  rich,  they 
constitute  an  important  article  of  diet  for  the  priests, 
and  all  classes  use  the  pickle  as  a relish  with  rice  and 
other  vegetable  dishes. 

“ The  manufacture  of  paper  consumes  great  quan- 
tities of  this  plant,  but  the  paper  made  from  it  is  unfit 
for  writing  upon  with  a pen  and  is  of  a yellow  color. 

“ The  roots  of  the  bamboo  are  employed  by  the 
Chinese  in  making  grotesque  images ; the  gnarled 
and  crooked  pieces,  are  wrought  with  the  aid  of  a lit- 
tle fancy,  into  the  shapes  of  men,  animals,  &c.  The 
divisions  of  the  joints  being  taken  out,  the  tube  forms 
excellent  water  pipes,  defended  from  injury  if  laid 
under  ground,  by  the  hard  exterior.  Those  which  are 
very  straight  have  been  used  for  astronomical  instru- 
ments. Vessels  for  holding  water,  buckets  and  meas- 
uses  of  capacity,  are  made  of  those  joints  which  are 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


65 


Uses  of  the  Bamboo , continued. 

of  sufficient  diameter.  A large  hollow  piece  is  tied 
to  the  backs  of  children  living  in  boats,  which  buoys 
them  up  till  aid  arrives,  if  they  chance  to  fall  over- 
board. The  lightness  of  the  bamboo  compared  with 
its  length  and  diameter,  fits  it  admirably  for  tracking 
poles,  for  supporters  of  the  mat  sails  of  the  Chinese, 
for  roofs,  and  for  poles  on  which  to  carry  burdens.  A 
frame  of  four  bamboos  is  made,  which  the  Chinese 
sailors  use  as  a life  preserver  at  sea. 

“ The  manufacture  of  chairs,  stools,  tables  and  boxes 
from  the  bamboo  gives  employment  to  many  labor- 
ers. Fences  are  usually  constructed  of  it,  and  the 
minor  uses  of  the  poles  are  almost  innumerable. 
Mats  of  different  degrees  of  fineness  are  manufactured 
from  the  long  internodes.  A cheap  covering  for 
boats,  houses  and  sheds  is  made  of  the  wide  slips  of 
this  plant.  Ropes  are  also  made  from  the  small 
twigs,  but  they  are  not  adapted  to  long  use.  The 
simple  instruments  of  the  farmer  are  made  from  the 
bamboo  and  the  leaves  are  used  to  thatch  the  houses 
of  the  poor,  manure  the  soil,  line  the  chests  of  tea  and 
by  sewing  them  together  in  one  direction,  a rain  cloak 
is  made,  off  which  the  water  runs  as  from  a roof. 
Hats  and  umbrellas  are  made  of  bamboo  to  a great 
amount.  Lampwicks  are  made  of  the  pith  of  the 
young  plants,  which  are,  however,  ill  adapted  to  that 
use.  The  handles  of  the  writing  pencils,  arrows, 
pikes,  and  spears,  and  also  scaffolds  and  baskets  are 
formed  of  different  parts.  In  ancient  times,  before 
the  discovery  of  paper,  the  large  bamboos  were  split 
and  flattened  by  means  of  water  and  heat,  and  the 
sides  attached  to  each  other  by  wires ; in  this  state 
they  were  used  instead  of  scrolls  and  books.  The 
cuticle  is  of  sufficient  hardness  to  produce  fire  by  fric- 
tion. Much  skill  and  taste  is  shown  in  its  manufac- 
ture into  fans,  which  are  an  indispensable  article  to 

9 


66 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


Earhj  Use  of  Opium.  Action  of  Opium  on  the  Constitution. 

every  Chinese;  and  the  work  sometimes  bestowed 
upon  a single  one  is  sufficient  to  give  employment  to 
a laborer  for  weeks.  The  tubes  of  tobacco  pipes  are 
almost  universally  made  of  the  bamboo ; as  are  also  a 
great  portion  of  walking  canes  which  are  exported  to 
western  countries.  Finally,  the  bamboo  is  used  by 
the  government  of  China  as  one  of  the  most  efficient 
means  of  maintaining  order  and  enforcing  obedience. 
It  is  applied  to  the  backs  of  offenders  in  cases  of  small 
delinquency,  and  different  sizes  of  the  plants  are 
adapted  to  the  several  grades  of  crime.” 

According  to  the  Chinese  Repository,  “ the  use  of 
opium  can  be  traced  to  an  earlier  date  than  that  of 
alcohol,  which  lias  been  known  as  an  intoxicating 
drink  for  upwards  of  nine  hundred  years.  The  Gre- 
cians appear  to  have  been  acquainted  with  the  sopor- 
ific powers  of  opium ; and  as  a medicine  it  has  been 
employed  for  many  centuries  by  all  civilized  countries. 
It  was  introduced  into  the  Materia  Medica,  more  than 
two  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era.” 

The  operation  of  opium  upon  the  constitution,  greatly 
depends,  like  that  of  alcohol  upon  the  quantity  and 
frequency  of  its  being  administered ; the  age,  temper- 
ament, and  habits  of  the  individual,  and  the  climate 
of  the  country  in  which  he  resides.  Men  of  strong 
constitutions  using  the  drug  in  moderation,  like  a sim- 
ilar class  amongst  us  who  indulge  in  strong  drink  may 
enjoy  health  and  attain  a good  old  age,  but  the  num- 
ber of  such  cases  in  the  aggregate  is  small,  and 
amongst  the  mass,  when  the  excitement  obtained  by 
the  use  of  a little  begins  to  diminish,  the  dose  is  im- 
perceptibly increased  until  the  victims,  to  whose  com- 
fort it  has  become  essential,  finding  their  resolutions 
too  weak  to  overcome  the  habit,  shut  their  eyes  to  the 
future,  and  stifling  their  bitter  reflections  with  the 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  V. 


67 


Action  of  Opium  on  the  Constitution,  Sfc. 

opium  pipe,  rush  headlong  to  deeper  misery  and 
eventual  destruction. 

“ A disposition  to  smoke  this  fascinating  drug  com- 
mences frequently  in  early  life,  particularly  when  the 
person  has  friends  addicted  to  the  practice.  He  is  in- 
duced, at  the  onset,  to  try  it  from  curiosity  or  persua- 
sion, or  because  it  is  fashionable.  At  first  he  smokes 
very  seldom,  and  perhaps  not  more  than  two  or  three 
pipes  at  a time.  Gradually,  either  from  a false  taste 
being  acquired,  or  a desire  for  a renewal  of  the  pleas- 
ure it  imparts,  the  pipe  becomes  a more  frequent 
companion,  and  generally  in  the  course  of  a year  or 
two  it  is  in  daily  use.  The  quantity  of  extract  at  first 
smoked  may  be  about  five  or  six  grains,  which  is 
equal  to  three  or  four  pipes.  Very  soon  this  is  in- 
creased to  twelve  grains  a day,  six  at  night  and  six  in 
the  morning.  By  and  by  it  is  increased  to  eighteen  ; 
and  from  that  to  twenty-five  and  thirty;  and  if  cir- 
cumstances permit,  and  the  appetite  for  it  is  strong, 
it  is  gradually  increased  to  from  sixty  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty  grains,  which  is  about  the  average  amount; 
for  though  the  greater  number  use  less,  many  cases 
have  been  known  of  from  two  hundred  to  four  hun- 
dred and  sixty  grains  being  smoked  daily.” 

A more  seductive  luxury  than  opium  cannot  exist. 
It  does  not  intoxicate,  as  is  generally  supposed,  raising 
the  animal  spirits  to  a high  pitch,  like  fermented 
liquors,  for  a short  time,  and  then  leaving  the  individ- 
ual in  a proportionably  depressed  state ; but  on  the 
contrary,  it  is  asserted  by  Chinese  smokers,  supported 
by  the  confessions  of  De  Quincy,  the  English  opium 
eater,  and  others,  that  its  effects  never  approach  in- 
toxication, that  it  calms  the  feelings,  and  imparts  a 
sense  of  inexpressible,  quiet  enjoyment,  which  is  kept 
up  for  hours,  and  to  renew  which,  and  not  to  escape 
from  a depressed  stage,  which  never  follows  its  pleas- 


63 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


Law  against  the  Introduction  and  Use  of  Opium. 

ant  effects,  the  pipe  is  appealed  to  again.  Its  narcot- 
ic properties  begin  to  appear  as  soon  as  the  others 
diminish,  and  after  passing  the  hours  of  the  night  in 
quiet  slumber,  accompanied  by  the  most  delightful 
dreams,  the  person  rises  in  the  morning  as  refreshed 
and  vigorous  as  if  no  opium  had  been  used.  These 
are  its  effects  for  several  years,  during  which  the  habit 
becomes  fixed  and  the  dose  is  increased,  in  proportion 
as  its  effect  upon  the  system  diminishes,  until  a re- 
action gradually  takes  place.  The  enjoyment,  which 
has  been  on  the  decrease  for  some  time,  now  ceases 
entirely,  the  whole  system  has  become  deranged,  the 
members  of  the  body  refuse  to  perform  their  functions 
without  the  aid  of  opium,  and  the  poor  victim  finds 
himself  too  late,  a slave  to  the  drug,  which  he  is  now 
obliged  to  use  to  escape  the  most  terrible  and  inde- 
scribable tortures  both  of  body  and  mind. 

The  late  Emperor,  Keaking,  early  perceived  the 
danger  to  which  his  subjects  were  exposed,  and  in 
1796  interdicted  the  introduction  of  opium  by  a law, 
making  those  found  guilty  of  smuggling  and  selling  it 
liable  to  punishment  and  death,  and  the  smokers  sub- 
ject to  the  bamboo  and  cangue.  This  law,  as  amend- 
ed by  Taou-Kwang,  was  made  still  more  rigorous,  and 
Mandarins  and  their  subordinates  infringing  it,  were 
decreed  to  suffer  one  degree  more  severely  than  pri- 
vate individuals. 

But  all  the  efforts  of  the  Emperor  to  stop  the  pro- 
gress of  the  drug  were  unavailing  against  the  enor- 
mous bribes  the  smugglers  could  afford  to  pay ; and 
the  profits  of  the  trade  were  known  to  be  so  great, 
that  the  fast  sailing  boats,  kept  filled  with  men  and 
arms  by  the  government,  for  the  suppression  of  the 
traffic,  were  used  in  many  instances  by  the  Manda- 
rins having  charge  of  them  as  a means  of  monopoliz- 
ing it. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  V. 


69 


War  between  English  and  Chinese. 

The  Emperor,  exasperated  on  finding  himself  foiled 
in  his  laudable  endeavors  to  stop  the  growing  evil, 
and  determined  to  leave  no  means  untried  to  arrest  it, 
sent  Lin,  an  officer  in  whom  he  could  confide,  to 
Canton,  invested  with  extraordinary  powers  to  carry 
out  his  measures.  He  arrived  in  Canton,  in  March, 
1839,  and  by  stopping  all  trade,  and  threatening,  and 
forcibly  detaining  the  foreigners  residing  at  Canton, 
together  with  the  British  superintendent  of  trade,  Capt. 
Elliot,  who  went  up  there  to  get  his  countrymen  re- 
leased, he  compelled  the  surrender  of  all  the  opium 
then  in  port,  amounting  to  20,283  chests,  which  he 
destroyed  at  the  Bogue  (mouth  of  Canton  River,)  in 
June,  according  to  the  Emperor’s  orders. 

After  the  delivery  of  the  opium,  the  foreigners  were 
obliged  to  give  a bond  not  to  engage  in  the  opium 
trade  in  future,  sixteen  of  their  number  were  banished, 
by  an  edict,  from  the  Celestial  Empire ; the  opium 
vessels  were  ordered  to  leave  the  Chinese  waters,  and 
the  regular  traders  to  enter  the  port  or  leave  also. 
The  opium  trade  being  continued  on  the  coast,  the 
English  felt  insecure,  and  refusing  to  enter  the  port  as 
required,  Lin,  by  a course  of  severe  measures,  under- 
took to  drive  them  from  his  master’s  dominions.  This 
brought  on  the  war,  during  which  the  Son  of  Heaven 
issued  repeated  orders  for  “ the  extermination  of  the 
rebellious  English;”  for  rebellious  tributaries  they  were 
considered  by  the  Chinese,  having  sent  tribute  (as 
the  presents  of  Lords  MacCartney  and  Amherst  were 
called)  to  the  Imperial  Court.  But  “ the  rebellious 
English”  were  not  much  alarmed,  and  collecting  a 
force  upon  the  coast  of  China,  they  destroyed  or  dis- 
persed the  redoubtable  army  and  navy  of  the  Empe- 
ror wherever  they  met  them.  In  fact  the  Chinese 
appear  at  first  to  have  been  entirely  unprepared,  ex- 
cept at  the  south,  to  show  any  effectual  resistance  to 


70 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  V. 


Result  of  War  with  England. 

the  attack  of  Europeans,  and  the  whole  of  their  de- 
fences seem  to  have  been  incapable  of  arresting  the 
progress  of  a mere  handful  of  British  soldiers. 

For  about  three  years  they  measured  their  strength, 
without  avail,  against  European  arms  and  discipline, 
and  several  times,  when  the  English  humanely  con- 
sented to  treat,  the  Chinese,  who,  it  afterwards  ap- 
peared, only  wished  to  gain  time,  violated  their  agree- 
ments ; until,  becoming  wearied  with  the  bad  faith  of 
the  Chinese  high  officers,  the  English  took  the  City 
of  Canton,  (which  was  immediately  ransomed  for 
$6,000,000  and  some  other  considerations,)  and  send- 
ing an  expedition  to  the  north  took  several  important 
cities  on  the  coast,  entered  the  Yang-tsz-kiang  (Child 
of  the  Ocean)  took  Shanghai,  and  proceeding  up  the 
river  to  the  City  of  Chinkiang  took  possession  of  that 
place  and  blockaded  the  Imperial  Canal.  Continuing 
onwards,  they  soon  appeared  before  the  walls  of  Nan- 
king, the  ancient  capital  of  the  Empire,  and  were 
ready  to  attack  that  city  when  the  imperial  commis- 
sioners, Keying  and  Ilipu  sued  for  peace,  and  after 
several  friendly  conferences  with  the  English  plenipo- 
tentionary,  Sir  Henry  Pottinger,  a treaty  of  peace  was 
formally  signed  on  the  29th  of  August,  1842,  by  which 
the  Chinese  agreed  to  pay  $21,000,000  indemnity,  for 
the  expenses  of  the  English  during  the  war,  to  open 
the  ports  of  Slanghai,  Ningpo,  Fuchau,  and  Amoy,  to 
all  nations,  and  to  cede  the  island  of  Hong  Kong  to 
Great  Britain. 

Thus  was  the  war  between  China  and  Great  Britain 
ended,  which  began  by  the  determined  means  pursued 
by  the  Emperor  to  put  a stop  to  the  opium  trade  in 
his  dominions.  The  result  has  proved  that  he  is  pow- 
erless in  this  respect;  and  since  the  English  govern- 
ment virtually  refuse  to  put  an  end  to  the  evil,  by 
continuing  the  growth  of  opium  in  their  East  India 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  VI. 


71 


Singing  Case  and  Store. 

possessions  for  the  China  market,  the  cure  can  only 
be  effected  by  some  great  moral  action  amongst  the 
Chinese  people  similar  to  that  of  the  temperance 
cause  in  our  own  country  and  others. 


CASE  VI. 

Chinese  Singing  Case  ; such  as  are  seen  in  the  busmess 
streets  of  the  cities  during  the  season  of  thanksgiving 
to  the  gods  of  the  elements,  wealth,  &c.,for  their  pro- 
tection and  assistance  during  the  previous  year.  The 
figures , &c.,  on  the  pctnnels  are  all  beautifully  made  of 
various  colored  silk  crapes,  worked  in  reliej. 

In  the  autumn  of  every  year,  the  shopkeepers  in 
each  of  the  streets  of  Canton,  subscribe  according  to 
their  means  to  illuminate  and  otherwise  adorn  their 
respective  streets,  as  a means  of  propitiating  the  gods 
and  thanking  them  for  protecting  their  houses  and 
property  from  the  ravages  of  the  elements  and  pros- 
pering their  business  during  the  preceding  year.  In- 
terspersed among  glass  chandeliers,  which  are  sus- 
pended overhead  in  the  centre  of  the  streets,  are 
groups  of  small  figures  representing  scenes  in  Chinese 
plays,  and  at  intervals  are  hollow  pyramids,  resting 
upon  the  houses  on  each  side  of  the  way,  their  in- 
teriors covered  with  thin  looking  glass  and  foils  of  va- 
rious colors,  which  reflect  the  light  from  hundreds  of 
tapers  suspended  within,  and  present  to  the  specta- 
tors below,  a gorgeous  and  dazzling  appearance. 
Here  and  there  along  the  sides  of  the  streets,  cases 
like  the  one  seen  here,  are  fitted  up  in  the  entrances 
to  crossways,  in  vacant  places,  or  shops,  in  which 


72 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VII. 


Chinese  Merchants. 

musicians  and  singers  contribute  their  part  to  the  en- 
tertainment. These  illuminations  are  kept  up  during 
several  nights  in  a street,  according  to  the  amount 
subscribed  by  the  residents,  and  are  then  transferred 
to  another. 


CASE  VII. 


Merchant. 

Par  see  purchaser , in  the  peculiar  dress  of  his  countrymen. 
Clerk. 

Coolie,  setting  the  table. 

Beggar  soliciting  charity. 

This  case  is  a facsimile  of  a handsome  mercantile 
establishment  in  the  city  of  Canton,  where  such  large 
and  beautiful  frames,  as  the  one  over  the  shelves  at 
the  back  of  the  case,  paintings  of  Jos’,  incense  vessels, 
&c.,  are  only  seen  in  the  large  stores  and  hongs;  but 
the  shrine  to  the  god  of  wealth  at  the  door  and  some 
representation  of  a deity  inside  are  met  with  in  the 
smallest  establishments. 

The  merchant  seated  behind  his  counter  with  his 
“ Soong-poon,”  or  counting  board  beside  him,  entering 
the  orders  given  by  the  Parsee  ; the  clerk  about  taking 
down  a piece  of  goods  pointed  out  by  the  purchaser ; 
the  coolie  preparing  a meal  in  the  front  part  of  the 
store,  as  is  customary  in  Chinese  shops ; and  the  beg- 
gar at  the  door  in  the  act  of  beating  a small  gong  to 
call  attention  to  his  needy  situation,  completes  a 
scene,  many  counterparts  of  which,  are  daily  met 
with  at  Canton. 

The  Chinese  are  good  merchants.  They  are  sys- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VII. 


73 


Canton , English. 

tematic,  obliging  to  customers,  and  indefatigable  in 
the  pursuit  of  money.  The  word  of  the  large  deal- 
ers is  entirely  to  be  depended  upon,  and  the  Ilong 
merchants  are  noted  for  their  honor  in  mercantile 
transactions.  So  much  cannot  be  said  of  the  gener- 
ality of  small  traders,  with  whom  foreigners  come  in 
contact,  who  are  as  great  rogues  as  can  be  found  any- 
where, and  most  of  them  will  ask  four  or  five  times 
as  much  for  an  article  as  they  expect  to  get,  and  by 
their  well  feigned  surprise  if  an  attempt  is  made  to 
beat  them  down  often  impose  upon  strangers.  The 
English  language  is  most  barbarously  used  in  China, 
and  conversations  like  the  following  daily  take  place 
in  old  and  new  China  streets,  which  are  near  the  fac- 
tories, or  foreign  residences,  and  are  filled  with  small 
shops  which  depend  upon  foreigners  for  support.  A 
person  sauntering  along  one  of  these  thoroughfares, 
is  accosted  by  some  shopkeeper  on  the  lookout, 
with  “ chin  chin  ! wancliy  some  littey  chow  chow  ling 
to-day  f ” If  an  undecided  answer  is  given,  this  ques- 
tion is  followed  by,  “ walk  in  take  ches  gentlemen 
At  the  same  time  receding  into  the  shop  ; where,  if 
he  is  followed,  he  continues : 11  jus  now  what  ting 
wanchy  The  person,  if  he  understands  the  language , 
perhaps  answers,  “ no  sabby  true.  Can  see,  can  sab- 
by,”  and  begins  looking  about.  While  he  is  doing 
this,  the  shopkeeper  is  not  idle.  “ You  missy  wat 
name  f”  “ My  name  is  Jones.”  “ Au ! Missy  Yones! 
My  tinkey  you  lib  Missy  Wetmau  housed  “ No  ! I live 
Suey  hong  number  two.”  “ Au  ! you  lib  Missy  Fauks ’ 
house.  My  sobby  he  velly  plopper ; Missy  Fauks  my 
number  one  good  fiend,  liab  gib  my  ple-enty  pidgeon.  My 
tinkey  you  Olo  Canton  Missy  Yonesd  “ Yes : have 
come  Canton  side  one  time  before.”  “ Jus  now  hab 
got  noos  “ No.  What’s  the  price  of  this  fan  ?” 

“ Au  ! dat  hab  number  one  Nankin  ting ; two  dollars  plum 
10 


74 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VII. 


Spanish  Coin  Used.  Parsees  in  China. 

easily  hob  true  price .”  “ I’ll  give  you  half  a dollar.” 

“ Half  dollar!  Hy-yah!  how  can?  Maskee  one  dollar 
haf, “ No.  I won’t  give  you  but  half  a dollar.” 
“ Hy-yah ! numbar  one  thing  half  dollar!  no  ca-an! 
maskee  one  dollar .”  “ No.  Half  dollar.”  “ Jus-now- 

no-can  Ketchy  any-projit ! Maskee  ! hab  litly  pidgeon , 
half  dollar  can  do : no  ye  wanchy  chesarnan  ? hab  got 
number  one .”  “ No.  Here  take  pay  for  the  fan  out 

of  this  dollar.”  “ Hy-yah ! dis  hab  Koto  chin!  mus 
loosy  too  muchy , no  got  chop  dolla  ?”  “No.  S’pose  no 
can  take  that,  can  keep  the  fan.”  “ Maskee ! bumby 
spose  wanchy  Ketchy  cargo  pidgeon,  my  chin  chinney  you 
too  muchy  take  care  my .”  And  the  universal  chin  chin 
accompanies  the  departure  of  the  visitor. 

The  Spanish  or  Portuguese  word  “ sa-be,”  or  the 
French  “ savez,”  is  used  instead  of  the  English  words 
know  and  understand ; and  maskee,  for  no  matter,  or 
I don’t  care.  Pidgeon,  is  the  common  Chinese  pro- 
nunciation of  business ; but  those  who  try  to  speak 
correctly  call  it  pidgeoness.  “ Hy-yah,”  is  the  Chinese 
exclamation  of  surprise,  and  chin  chin,  means  good 
morning,  how  do  you  do  ? thank  you,  &c.  The  other 
words  will  probably  be  recognized.  The  Chinese 
have  a whimsical  preference  for  some  Spanish  dollars 
over  others.  They  divide  them  into  old  head,  new 
head,  and  Kowchin,  dollars.  The  first  bear  the  head 
of  Carolus,  with  the  stamp  of  some  particular  mint 
and  always  command  a premium,  while  new  heads, 
(just  like  the  others  except  the  mint  stamps,)  and 
Kowchin,  (those  bearing  the  head  of  Ferdinand,)  to- 
gether with  North  and  South  American  dollars  are  at 
a considerable  discount. 

The  Parsees  are  those  descendants  of  the  ancient 
Guebers  or  worshippers  of  fire,  who,  driven  out  of  Per- 
sia on  account  of  their  religion,  by  the  usurper  Caliph 
Omar,  sought  refuge  in  Hindostan.  After  the  Eng- 
lish obtained  possession  of  Bombay,  many  Parsees 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  VII. 


75 


Parsees  in  China , continued. 

came  to  that  place,  and  thence  went  to  Calcutta, 
Madras,  China,  &c.  The  religion  of  the  Parsees  is 
called  Muzdyesne  or  Yezdaprust,  meaning  worship- 
per of  God.  By  foreigners  it  has  been  contracted  and 
called  Magi.  They  worship  one  supreme  being, 
whom  they  call  the  eternal  spirit,  or  Yerd.  The  sun, 
moon,  and  planets  they  believe  to  be  peopled  with  ra- 
tional beings,  acknowledge  light  as  the  primitive  cause 
of  good,  darkness  as  that  of  evil,  and  worship  fire,  (as 
it  is  said,)  from  which  they  have  received  their  name. 
But  they  themselves  say,  that  they  do  not  worship 
fire,  but  only  find  in  it  an  image  of  the  incomprehen- 
sible God,  on  which  account  they  offer  up  their 
prayers  before  a fire,  and  maintain  one  uninterruptedly 
burning  on  holy  places,  which  their  prophet  Zoroaster 
(so  called  by  the  Greeks,  meaning  the  living  star,) 
they  say,  kindled  thousands  of  years  ago.  Their  re- 
ligion requires  them  to  say  their  prayers  five  times  a 
day.  They  do  not  allow  other  sects  to  join  them 
and  are  strict  in  their  observances.  If  any  culi- 
nary vessel  be  touched  by  one  of  another  caste,  it 
must  be  thrice  washed  to  purify  it ; and  if  it  chance 
to  be  a mineral  substance  it  can  never  again  be  con- 
sidered pure.  Their  laws  do  not  admit  of  polygamy 
and  are  peculiar  in  the  disposal  of  the  dead,  who  are 
not  buried  but  exposed,  in  large  buildings  made  for 
the  purpose  without  roofs,  to  be  devoured  by  vultures 
and  other  ravenous  birds.  The  number  of  the  follow- 
ers of  Zoroaster  in  Persia  is  supposed  to  be  200,000. 
The  number  in  India  is  about  50,000.  Almost  all  those 
residing  under  the  British  government  are  merchants, 
or  servants  of  merchants.  There  are  no  tailors,  bar- 
bers, &c.,  among  them,  and  they  are  dependant  upon 
others  for  the  production  of  almost  all  the  necessaries 
of  life.  The  few  in  China  are  principally  natives  of 
Bombay,  and  like  most  of  the  other  foreigners,  look 


76 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  VII. 


Manners  in  which  Merchants  Live.  Beggars. 

forward  to  the  accumulation  of  a competency  to  re- 
turn home  with. 

Chinese  merchants  live  in  their  stores  and  visit 
their  families,  who  reside  in  a private  part  of  the  town, 
daily  or  weekly  as  business  will  admit.  They  gener- 
ally eat  but  two  meals  a day.  One  about  10,  A.  M., 
and  the  other  about  5,  P.  M.  At  each  of  which  it  is 
calculated  one  person  eats  about  two  thirds  of  a pound 
of  rice,  but  as  there  is  a little  variety  upon  the  table, 
consisting  of  cakes  and  sweetmeats,  the  two  meals 
cost  the  same  as  the  three  eaten  by  mechanics ; that 
is  ten  cents  per  diem  for  each  individual.  The  table, 
dishes,  &c.,  which  the  coolie  is  setting  out,  are  such 
as  are  commonly  used.  It  will  probably  be  noticed, 
that  there  is  nothing  upon  the  table  resembling  knives 
and  forks.  These  are  not  used  by  the  Chinese  at 
table.  The  little  sticks,  at  the  sides  of  the  bowls, 
called  chop  sticks,  are  used  instead,  and  the  facility 
with  which  they  shovel  rice  into  their  mouths,  and 
fish  small  pieces  of  meat,  &c.,  out  of  their  stews  with 
them,  is  truly  astonishing. 

The  number  of  beggars  at  Macao,  and  Canton,  and 
their  pitiable  condition,  arrests  the  attention  of  every 
new  comer.  It  is  said  that  they  congregate  at  these 
places  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  that  at  Can- 
ton the  number  of  the  most  wretched  class  exceeds 
5,000.  The  blind  are  very  numerous  and  generally 
go  about  in  parties.  They  enter  a store  wherever  they 
hear  the  voice  of  a purchaser  and  set  up  such- a horrid 
noise  with  their  small  gongs,  bamboos,  and  mournful 
singing  that  the  shopkeepers  are  generally  glad  to  give 
them  the  customary  sum  of  one  cash  to  get  rid  of  them 
and  the  vermin  with  which  they  are  covered.  Cu- 
taneous affections  are  very  common  amongst  the 
Chinese,  who  appear  to  be  ignorant  of  the  efficacy  in 
such  cases  of  sulphur,  and  other  simple  remedies. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  VIII. 


77 


Leprosy.  Figures,  S?c.,  in  case  VIII. 

But  the  most  pitiable  objects  are  those  afflicted  with 
leprosy,  which  the  Chinese  consider  incurable  and 
contagious,  and  a person  found  to  have  it  is  immedi- 
ately deserted  by  his  friends  and  relations.  This  dis- 
ease appears  to  be  confined  to  the  southwestern  pro- 
vinces, and  is  supposed  to  be  owing  to  the  humidity 
of  the  atmosphere.  In  Canton  there  is  a government 
lazar  house,  appropriated  to  lepers,  and  in  addition  a 
part  of  the  city  is  appropriated  to  them,  but  the  poor- 
est are  allowed  to  roam  about  the  streets  to  the  great 
annoyance  of  shopkeepers  and  passers  by,  from  whom 
they  solicit  alms. 


CASE  VIII. 


Lady , wife  of  a wealthy  Chinaman. 

Young  lady,  friend  of  the  former,  preparing  to  smoke. 
Handmaid  playing  upon  the  llPei,-pa,v  a species  of  guitar. 
Maidservant  lighting  the  young  lady's  pipe. 

Small  boy,  son  of  the  first  lady. 

do.  younger  son  of  the  first  lady. 

A large  and  beautiful  Screen  made  of  paintings  on  glass ; 
chairs  and  tables  made  of  king  wood  with  variegated 
marble  tops , superbly  embroidered  door  Screen,  vase 
containing  a peacock  feather  fan  of  200  eyes,  fruit  up- 
on the  table,  scrolls  on  the  wall,  lanterns  suspended 
from  the  ceiling,  frc.,  &c. 

This  case,  or  rather  room,  is  a perfect  facsimile  of 
an  apartment  in  a wealthy  Chinaman’s  dwelling. 
The  richly  carved,  painted  and  gilded  work,  of  which 
it  is  formed,  together  with  the  furniture  within  are  in 


78 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


Description  of  Figures. 

peculiar  Chinese  taste,  and  entirely  the  productions  of 
the  Celestial  Empire. 

Here  the  visitor  is  introduced  into  a Chinaman’s 
sanctum  sanctorum ; the  female  apartments,  where 
Asiatic  jealousy  will  not  allow  his  most  intimate 
friends  to  enter ; nay,  the  door  is  even  closed  against 
his  own  father,  and  undutiful  sons  sometimes  flee  to 
the  “ fragrant  apartments  ” for  protection  against  the 
wrath  of  an  offended  parent. 

The  mother  is  playing  with  her  children,  the  eldest 
of  whom  is  threatening  to  throw  a lichi  at  the  visitor, 
whilst  the  youngest  is  trying  to  get  a peach,  held,  in- 
advertently by  the  mother,  too  high  for  his  little  hands 
to  reach.  This  is  one  of  the  most  life-like  scenes  in 
the  collection.  The  countenance  of  the  principal  fig- 
ure bears  the  indescribable  expression  of  a mother 
strongly  impressed  upon  it,  and  the  children  with  their 
little  heads  shaved,  leaving  only  two  small  tufts  of 
hair  done  up  in  a fanciful  manner  on  each  side,  are 
also  true  to  the  life ; they  are  both  boys,  which  are  the 
pride  of  a Chinaman’s  heart,  for  they  will  perpetuate 
the  family  name,  may  become  great  men  in  their 
native  land  to  reflect  honor  on  their  parents,  either 
alive  or  dead,  and  after  they  have  passed  away,  will 
sacrifice  to  their  manes  and  those  of  their  ancestors. 

The  young  lady  is  preparing  to  smoke  a Chinese 
hookah ; she  is  dressed  in  pink  and  green,  (the  colors 
peculiar  to  ladies,)  her  hair  is  decked  with  flowers,  of 
which  the  Chinese  are  very  fond,  “the  golden  lilies” 
peep  out  from  beneath  her  dress,  and  on  the  whole 
she  is  a fair  specimen  of  a Chinese  beauty,  who,  as 
they  poetically  express  it,  has  “ cheeks  red  as  the  al- 
mond flower,  mouth  like  the  peach’s  bloom,  waist 
slender  as  the  willow  lea£  eyes  bright  as  autumnal 
ripples,  and  footsteps  like  the  flowers  of  the  water  lily.” 
Although  about  to  indulge  in  a luxury  which  would 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


79 


Use  of  Tobacco.  Accomplishments  of  Handmaids. 

not  be  considered  much  of  an  attraction  with  us,  she 
is  doing  nothing  contrary  to  the  usages  of  her  country 
where  both  sexes  contract  the  habit  of  smoking,  with 
pipes  of  various  construction,  when  quite  young.  The 
only  segars  they  have  are  small  paper  ones,  which  are 
not  much  used  by  the  better  classes.  Snuff  appears 
to  be  monopolized  by  the  men,  and  one  of  the  indis- 
pensable articles  suspended  at  the  waist  of  a gentle- 
man is  a snuff  bottle,  some  of  which,  elaborately 
carved  from  “ yu  ” or  jade  stone,  cost  several  hundred 
dollars  apiece.  The  snuff  is  taken  out  of  the  bottle 
with  a small  spoon  attached  to  the  stopper,  laid  upon 
the  back  of  the  left  hand  thumb,  and  conveyed  by  it 
to  the  olfactories. 

The  female,  with  feet  of  the  natural  size,  playing 
upon  the  pei-pa ,”  or  guitar,  is  a handmaid,  some  of 
whom  are  children  of  the  poorer  classes,  and  others, 
those  who  are  in  infancy  left  by  their  unnatural 
parents  to  perish  in  the  streets  if  unnoticed  by  the  pas- 
sers by,  but  if  of  good  personal  appearace,  are  taken 
up  by  those  making  it  a business,  taught  numerous 
accomplishments,  such  as  embroidery,  music  and. 
painting,  and  when  old  enough,  sold  as  handmaids  or 
personal  attendants  to  the  wealthy. 

The  servant  maid,  attending  upon  the  young  lady 
is  dressed  in  clothes  suitable  to  her  class,  which,  while 
not  expensive,  are  at  the  same  time  neat  and  service- 
able, but  her  hair  is  cut  and  left  to  hang  down  in  the 
unbecoming  manner  of  all  young  girls,  not  of  mar- 
riageable age  in  China. 

The  large  glass  screen,  upon  the  long  table,  is  one 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  Chinese  painting  on  glass 
and  will  bear  the  closest  inspection.  The  painting 
represents  the  branches  of  a numerous  family,  paying 
their  annual  respects  to  the  oldest  surviving  members. 
This  is  an  ancient  custom  with  the  Chinese,  and  is 


80 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


Furniture,  Ornaments,  fyc. 

observed  by  the  Emperor,  who,  upon  these  occasions, 
performs  the  “ Kotow  ” (kneels  and  knocks  his  head 
upon  the  ground)  before  his  mother. 

The  furniture  of  this  apartment,  which  is  rich  and 
massive,  is  arranged  in  Chinese  style  ; the  sides  of  the 
room  being  occupied  with  rows  of  heavy  arm  chairs 
and  tea  poys,  which  are  not  intended  to  be  moved 
about  the  apartment  as  ours  are.  Several  of  the  chairs 
have  landscape  marble  inserted  in  the  backs,  having 
trees  and  birds  upon  it.  The  finest  specimens  of  this 
kind  are  rare  and  expensive,  as  only  the  natural  colors 
of  the  stone  are  used.  They  are  made  by  taking  a 
slab  of  white  marble  having  dark  veins  below  the  sur- 
face, and  with  much  labor,  rubbing  down  the  exterior 
until  spots  appear  where  they  are  wanted,  to  form 
such  rude  representations  of  natural  objects  as  the 
stone  admits  of. 

The  universal  use  of  tobacco  renders  the  “ tom-to’s” 
or  spittoons  seen  in  a Chinese  room  in  such  profusion 
necessary,  and  in  the  construction  and  ornamenting 
of  these,  considerable  taste  is  displayed  as  the  visitor 
will  observe. 

The  embroidered  hanging  door  screens  in  this  and 
the  bamboo  case  are  of  rare  beauty,  and  such  as  are 
seldom  seen,  even  in  China,  where  these  articles  are 
used  in  the  interior  of  dwellings  instead  of  doors. 
The  peacock  feather  fan  in  the  vase  is  an  article  of 
ornament  and  is  not  intended  for  use,  and  the  fruits 
upon  the  table  are  such  as  are  commonly  seen  in  the 
markets  at  Canton,  consisting  of  oranges,  lichis,  pome- 
granates, “ sam  leen,”  &c.  The  scrolls  on  the  wall 
are  a kind  of  ornament  much  prized  by  the  Chinese. 
They  are  generally  choice  extracts  of  moral  sentences 
from  the  works  of  the  ancient  sages  made  by  some 
esteemed  friend.  Those  selected  by  old  persons  are 
valued  the  highest. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


81 


Marriage.  Polygamy. 

The  lanters  suspended  from  the  ceiling  in  this 
room  are  very  unique.  They  are  made  of  stained 
horn,  and  represent  lions  and  birds. 

The  Chinese  law  does  not  admit  of  polygamy,  as  is 
erroneously  supposed  by  many,  although  it  does  of 
concubinage.  “A  Chinese  can  have  but  one  ‘ Tsy’ 
or  wife,  properly  so  called,  who  is  distinguished  by  a 
title,  espoused  with  numerous  ceremonies,  and  chosen 
from  a rank  of  life  totally  different  from  his  ‘ Tsii’  or 
handmaids,  of  whom  he  may  have  as  many  as  he 
pleases,  and  though  the  offspring  of  the  latter  possess 
many  of  the  rights  of  legitimacy  (ranking  however 
after  the  children  of  the  wife)  this  circumstance  makes 
but  little  difference  as  to  the  truth  of  the  position.  In 
fact  the  wife  is  of  equal  rank  with  the  husband  by 
birth,  is  espoused  with  regular  marriage  ceremonies, 
possessing  moreover  certain  legal  rights,  such  as 
they  are ; while  the  handmaid  is  bought  for  money 
and  received  into  the  house  nearly  like  any  other 
domestic.”  The  ‘Tsy’  and  the  ‘Tsii’  stand  to  each 
other  in  very  much  the  same  relation  as  the  Sarah 
and  Hagar  of  the  Old  Testament. 

If  a person  has  sons  by  his  wife  it  is  considered  de- 
rogatory to  take  a handmaid,  but  if  he  has  not,  it  is  of 
course  allowable,  and  some  of  the  Chinese  have  many. 
Pwan-tin-qua,  a Mandarin,  well  known  to  foreigners 
at  Canton,  has  thirteen,  and  a former  linguist  at  the 
same  place  had  nineteen.  According  to  Mr.  Lay, 
“ the  dwelling  together  of  wife  and  concubine,  under 
the  same  roof,  does  not  produce  that  unhappiness  that 
our  feelings  might  teach  us  to  imagine.  The  sole 
proprietorship  of  a husband’s  attachments  does  not 
enter  into  the  calculations  of  the  former,  so  that  she 
yields  to  the  obtrusion  of  a rival  without  repining; 
and  the  latter  is  content  to  find  herself  in  a circle 
much  above  her  birth  and  parentage.  When  Chinese 

u 


82 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII 


Treatment  of  Females. 

ladies  are  appealed  to,  they  allege  that  there  is  nothing 
objectionable  in  the  practice.  Wife  and  concubine 
mix  together  without  any  symptoms  of  jealousy  and 
contend  that  neither  one  nor  the  other  has  any  right 
to  complain,  so  long  as  the  husband  is  impartial  and 
loves  them  both  alike. 

At  home  or  abroad,  in  holiday  robes  or  in  plain 
clothing,  the  heart  of  a Chinese  female  seems  to  be  at 
all  times  ready  to  overflow  with  mirth  and  good  hu- 
mor. Ill  usage  or  misfortune  may  make  her  sad  for 
a while,  but  the  smallest  efforts  to  soothe  or  amuse  on 
the  part  of  one  whom  the  values,  drives  away  all  her 
heaviness.  Confucian  philosophy  has  done  its  best 
to  unfit  a Chinese  for  the  possession  of  such  an  heri- 
tage, by  assigning  to  woman  nothing  but  the  privilege 
of  drudging  for  her  lord.  Those  well  chosen  terms  of 
esteem  and  preference  with  which  we  are  wont  to 
address  females,  and  the  countless  variety  of  polite 
offices  which  we  perform  as  matters  of  course,  find 
no  place  either  in  the  written  or  unwritten  laws  of 
Chinese  society.  Native  poetry  and  romance  descant 
upon  the  accomplishments  of  the  lover  and  the  charms 
of  his  mistress,  and  in  beautiful  terms  and  imagery 
eulogize  the  bliss  of  chaste  and  well  requited  love. 
But  these  sentiments  seem  to  be  confined  to  the  poet, 
whose  imagination,  guided  by  the  promptings  of  his 
heart  and  the  refinement  of  his  understanding,  por- 
trays what  ought  to  be,  but  what  seldom  happens. 
It  is  hard  to  conceive  how  a man  can  behold  the 
object  of  his  best  affections,  and  exhibit  no  desire  to 
show  her  any  marks  of  regard,  especially  when  his 
heart  has  been  softened  by  education,  and  no  exter- 
nal circumstance  interferes  with  the  display  of  his 
feelings.  Whenever  the  light  of  heaven-born  Chris- 
tianity shall  dawn  upon  this  people,  and  begin  to  dis- 
sipate the  mists  of  a diabolical  system  of  ethics,  which 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


83 


Preference  for  Male  Children. 

lias  so  long  brooded  over  the  land,  one  of  the  first 
evidences  of  its  presence  will  be  a restoration  of  fair 
woman  to  all  her  rights  and  privileges ; she  will  then 
be  regarded  as  she  ought  to  be,  “the  glory  of  the 
man,”  and  a Chinese  will  then  behold  a paradise 
yielding  flowers  to  embellish  his  feasts,  to  adorn  the 
friendly  board,  to  refine,  ennoble  and  rejoice  his  own 
heart. 

“ The  birth  of  a female  is  a matter  of  grief  in  China. 
The  father  and  mother,  who  had  ardently  hoped  in 
the  unborn  babe,  to  embrace  a son,  feel  disappointed 
at  the  sight  of  a wretched  daughter.  Many  vows  and 
offerings  are  made  before  their  idols,  in  order  to  pro- 
pitiate their  favor  and  secure  the  birth  of  a son.  The 
mercy  of  the  compassionate  Kwanyin  especially,  is 
implored  to  obtain  this  precious  gift : but  after  they 
have  spent  large  sums  of  money  in  this  pious  work, 
the  inexorable  goddess  fills  the  house  with  mourning 
at  the  birth  of  a daughter.  “ Anciently,”  says  Pan- 
Hwuypan,  (a  Chinese  authoress,)  “ the  female  infant 
was  thrown  upon  some  old  rags  by  the  side  of  the 
mother’s  bed,  and  for  three  days  was  scarcely  spoken 
or  thought  of.  At  the  end  of  that  time  it  was  carried 
to  a temple  by  the  father,  accompanied  by  attendants 
with  brick  and  tiles  in  their  hands.”  “ The  bricks 
and  tiles,”  says  Pan-Hwuypan  in  her  comment  on 
these  facts,  “ signify  the  contempt  and  suffering  which 
are  to  be  her  companions  and  her  portion.  Bricks 
are  of  no  use  except  to  form  enclosures,  and  to  be 
trodden  under  foot ; and  tiles  are  useless  except  when 
they  are  exposed  to  the  injuries  of  the  air.”  At  the 
present  day  as  well  as  anciently,  the  female  infant  is 
not  unfrequently  an  object  of  disgust  to  its  parents, 
and  of  contempt  to  all  the  inmates  of  the  family.  If 
a Chinese  is  asked  how  many  children  he  has,  he 
gives  the  number  of  sons;  the  daughters  stand  as 


84 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  VIII. 


Number  and  use  of  Domestics. 

cyphers  in  the  list  of  his  blessings.  “ Infanticide  of 
females  is  not  unknown  among  the  Chinese,  and  they 
are  far  from  regarding  this  crime  with  the  horror  it 
deserves.  “ It  is  only  a female,”  is  the  answer  gen- 
erally given  when  they  are  reproved  for  it.” 

The  daughters  of  the  wealthy  receive  something  of 
an  education,  those  of  the  middling  and  poorer  classes 
generally  none  at  all. 

“ The  mistress  of  a family,  among  the  affluent,  has 
four  waiting  maids ; the  older  ones  to  take  care  of 
her  clothes,  and  to  attend  on  her  when  eating;  the 
younger  ones  to  follow  her  when  she  goes  out,  to 
hand  her  tea  and  tobacco,  to  fan  her,  &c.  These 
waiting  maids  are  not  unfrequently  slaves,  whom  she 
has  purchased  for  herself.  Besides  these  she  hires 
several  housemaids ; (as)  one  to  dress  her  hair,  one  to 
cook  her  food,  one  to  wash  her  clothes,  and  one  to  fol- 
low her  when  she  goes  abroad. 

“ The  master  of  the  family  usually  has  four  personal 
servants;  two  grown  men,  who  wait  upon  him  at 
meals,  take  care  of  his  clothes,  and  attend  to  all  such 
matters;  and  two  younger  persons,  to  follow  him 
when  he  goes  abroad,  to  carry  his  pipe,  to  fan  him, 
and  to  present  his  cards.  He  has  also  four  domes- 
tics ; the  older  carry  water  and  go  to  the  bazaars ; 
the  younger  sweep  the  floors,  light  the  lamps,  and 
wipe  the  chairs  and  tables.” 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


85 


Itinerant  Street  Workmen. 


CASE  IX. 


Itinerant  barber  exercising  his  avocation. 

Person  being  shaved. 

Fortune  teller , with  table , &c. 

Street  doctor  and  medicines. 

do.  broker  ivith  counter , &c. 

Large  map  of  China  at  the  back  of  the  case , made  by  the 
Chinese,  from  the  surveys  of  the  early  Jesuit  missiona- 
ries. The  disproportionate  size  of  the  rivers,  which 
the  visitor  will  undoubtedly  notice,  is  a fault  common 
to  all  Chinese  maps.  There  are  also  a number  of 
bamboo  hats,  ivorn  by  the  lower  classes,  on  the  wall. 

“ The  number  of  itinerant  workmen  of  one  kind  or 
another,  which  line  the  sides  of  the  streets,  or  occupy 
the  areas  before  public  building  in  Chinese  towns,  is 
a remarkable  feature.  Fruiterers,  pastry  men,  cook- 
stalls,  venders  of  gimcracks,  and  wayside  shopkeepers 
are  found  in  other  countries  as  well  as  China;  but 
to  as  a travelling  blacksmith  or  tinker,  an  itinerant 
glass  mender,  a peripatetic  umbrella  mender,  a loco- 
motive seal  cutter,  an  ambulatory  barber,  a migratory 
banker,  a perigrinatory  apothecary,  or  a walking  shoe- 
maker and  cobbler,  one  must  travel  thitherwards. 
These  moveable  establishments,  together  with  fortune 
tellers,  herbs  sellers,  chiromancers,  &c.,  pretty  well  fill 
up  the  space,  so  that  one  often  sees  both  sides  of  the 
street  in  Canton  literally  lined,  with  the  stalls  or  tools 
of  persons  selling  or  making  something  to  eat  or  to 
wear.” 

As  the  Chinese  shave  the  head  as  well  as  the  beard 


86 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


Barbers. 


every  ten  or  twelve  days,  barbers  constitute  a numer- 
ous class  in  their  communities.  The  greater  part  are 
itinerant,  and  with  the  chest  of  drawers,  which  an- 
swers for  customers  to  sit  upon  as  well  as  to  contain 
their  tonsorial  apparatus,  and  a water  vessel  over  a 
small  furnace,  slung  on  a pole  carried  on  the  shoulder, 
they  traverse  the  streets,  making  known  their  pres- 
ence by  occasionally  twanging  their  call,  which  some- 
what resembles  the  pitch  pipe  used  by  singers.  Their 
common  appellation  is  Ti-toiv-le,  meaning  shave-liead- 
old-man. 

There  are  7,300  barbers  in  the  city  of  Canton,  every 
one  of  whom  has  been  obliged  to  obtain  a license  be- 
fore commencing  the  trade,  and  all  of  whom,  like 
the  other  mechanics,  form  a community  whose  busi- 
ness is  regulated  by  laws  made  amongst  themselves. 
They  use  no  soap  in  shaving,  merely  wetting  the 
head  and  face  with  warm  water  before  applying  the 
razor,  which,  from  its  short,  clumsy  blade,  appears 
better  suited  to  opening  oysters  than  shaving,  but 
which  nevertheless  answers  the  purpose  intended 
very  well. 

The  barber’s  whole  apparatus  is  near  him,  and  his 
razor  and  other  small  implements  are  seen  in  one  of 
the  open  drawers  of  the  case  and  in  his  hands.  In 
addition  to  shaving,  some  of  them  exercise  the  func- 
tion of  shampooing,  and  practice  cleaning  the  eye  and 
ear,  oftentimes  to  the  manifest  injury  of  the  former, 
to  diseases  of  which,  the  Chinese  are  particularly  sub- 
ject. A person  is  here  seen  undergoing  the  ear-clean- 
ing operation,  and  the  effect  produced  by  the  tickling 
sensation  in  the  ear  is  faithfully  delineated  upon  his 
countenance.  The  barber’s  remuneration  is  generally 
twenty  or  thirty  cash,  but  no  regular  charge  is  made, 
the  amount  being  left  entirely  to  the  generosity  of  his 
customers.  As  in  other  countries,  the  barber  is  the 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


37 


Fortune  Tellers.  Street  Doctors. 


repository  of  local  information,  and  his  success  is  usu- 
ally proportioned  to  his  powers  of  making  himself 
agreeable  to  his  customers. 

The  Chinese  of  all  classes  are  very  superstitious,  and 
fortune  tellers  consequently  abound  amongst  them, 
who,  for  a trifling  consideration,  by  consulting  the 
stars,  the  lines  on  the  hand,  or  by  shaking  several 
bamboo  slips,  with  characters  written  on  them,  from  a 
case  full,  will  predict  with  confidence,  the  destiny  of 
an  individual.  Our  fortune  teller  uses  the  latter 
method  which  is  the  most  common,  and  his  advertise- 
ment informs  the  public  of  his  abilities  and  charge  for 
the  different  information  furnished,  whether  it  be  to 
foretell  the  fortunes  of  some  new  born  babe,  the  future 
fate  of  some  hitherto  luckless  wight,  a lucky  day  for  a 
marriage  or  funeral,  or  the  proper  location  for  a house 
or  tomb.  This  class  pretend  to  few  secrets ; by  taking 
the  characters  from  the  slips  thrown  out  and  combin- 
ing them  upon  the  writing  board  according  to  rules 
for  the  different  information  wanted,  they  form  sen- 
tences which  are  explained  by  referring  to  a book,  and 
frequent  appeals  are  usually  made  to  the  crowd  around 
as  to  the  correctness  of  the  mode  of  proceeding  in  ob- 
taining the  explanations.  There  are  sometimes  ten 
or  a dozen  of  these  wise  men  to  be  seen  in  the  street 
on  the  west  side  of  the  American  factories  at  Canton, 
in  the  space  of  a few  hundred  feet,  and  generally  some 
of  them  are  Budhist  and  Taouist  priests. 

The  street  doctor  is  another  ambulatory  genius  met 
with  in  China,  and  in  Old  China  street  (the  one  just 
mentioned,)  they  generally  surpass  in  numbers  the 
fortune  tellers.  A person  can  hardly  pass  through  this 
thoroughfare  without  seeing  some  of  them  exhibiting 
their  skill  in  dressing  a sore,  pulling  teeth,  or  prescrib- 
ing for  some  of  the  ills  of  the  body.  Some  are  sur- 
rounded with  roots  and  herbs,  some  have  long  strings 


38 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


Doctors. 

of  teeth,  which  they  have  extracted,  in  front  of  them, 
and  others,  like  our  Esculapius,  have  their  medicines 
exposed  in  small  jars  for  sale,  with  printed  advertise- 
ments of  their  virtues  and  directions  for  use.  Occa- 
sionally one  may  be  seen  with  some  large  bones,  or 
thick  skin,  such  as  that  of  the  rhinoceros  and  elephant, 
disposing  of  them  in  small  pieces  to  the  passers  by, 
who  suppose  them  to  possess  eminent  strengthening 
properties.  One  of  this  last  mentioned  class  of  Chi- 
nese M.  D.’s  might  be  seen  at  the  entrance  of  the 
American  grounds,  in  the  latter  part  of  1844,  with  the 
skeleton  of  an  ourang-outang,  which  he  was  disposing 
of  in  the  manner  spoken  of,  and  as  an  evidence  of  the 
virtues  of  the  medicine,  an  unhappy  looking  chicken 
stood  upon  one  leg,  beside  the  skeleton,  with  a duck’s 
foot  and  leg  banded  on  to  the  other. 

In  addition  to  the  street  doctors  there  are  some  who 
have  acquired  sufficient  experience  and  reputation  in 
their  profession  to  find  plenty  of  employment  among 
the  wealthy,  and  are  consequently  not  obliged  to  resort 
to  the  thoroughfares  for  support.  As  dissection  is 
never  practised,  they  have  very  imperfect  ideas  of 
anatomy,  and  as  an  evidence  of  their  ignorance  of 
the  circulation  of  the  blood,  they  distinguish  twenty- 
four  different  and  distinct  pulsations  in  the  body,  and 
twenty-four  different  diseases  at  each  of  three  pulses 
on  each  arm.  They  also  seem  to  be  ignorant  of  the 
existence  of  muscles  and  nerves,  and,  as  an  instance 
of  their  ignorance  of  the  latter,  Dr.  Parker,  the  Amer- 
ican medical  missionary  at  Canton,  informed  us,  that 
a Mandarin,  whom  he  had  treated  for  tic  doloreux, 
was  previously  under  the  hands  of  a native  physician, 
who  told  him  that  the  acute  pain  arising  from  this 
nervous  affection  was  caused  by  the  movement  of  a 
worm,  existing  in  the  flesh,  which  he  endeavored  to 
kill,  but  the  worm  changed  his  position  so  rapidly, 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


89 


Medicines.  Street  Brokers. 

that  lie  eluded  all  his  endeavors.  Another  physician, 
who  practised  in  Old  China  street,  the  doctor  said  he 
had  seen  cutting  off  the  edge  of  the  gum  around  an 
aching  tooth,  and  exhibiting  it  to  his  satisfied  patient, 
who  was  eased  for  the  time  by  the  counter  irritation, 
informed  him  it  was  the  worm  which  had  caused  all 
his  pain.  When  a Chinese  physician  is  unsuccessful, 
he  retires  with  the  adage,  “ that  there  is  medicine  for 
sickness  but  none  for  fate.”  As  there  are  no  medical 
schools  in  China,  the  only  way  for  a person  wishing 
to  become  a physician  is  to  seek  for  some  celebrated 
practitioner  and  become  his  pupil. 

Notwithstanding  the  low  state  of  medical  science 
in  China,  which,  in  its  connection  with  astrology, 
closely  resembles  the  practice  of  the  healing  art  in 
Europe,  less  than  two  centuries  since,  the  Chinese 
appear  to  enjoy  as  good  health  and  as  many  attain 
old  age  as  in  other  countries. 

Comparatively  little  appears  to  be  known  by  for- 
eigners regarding  the  bulk  of  medicines  used  by  the 
Chinese,  although  it  is  known  that  they  have  several 
similar  preparations  of  mercury  and  other  minerals  to 
those  in  use  with  us,  and  that  the  former  are  admin- 
istered in  the  same  classes  of  diseases.  They  also 
have  some  similar  vegetable  medicines  to  ours,  but 
ginseng,  which  once  sold  for  eight  times  its  weight  in 
silver,  stands  with  them  at  the  head  of  all  remedies. 

The  street  broker  is  a more  stationary  being  than 
the  others  spoken  of  above,  hut  his  stand  is  seen  at 
every  turn.  For  a small  per  centage  he  is  ready  to 
exchange  pieces  of  silver  or  to  buy  and  sell  the  only 
national  coin  called  by  the  Chinese,  Tclien , and  by 
foreigners,  cash , which  is  an  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc 
principally,  and  of  which  1,000  are  intended  to  equal 
in  value  a tael,  or  Chinese  ounce  of  silver  (about  $1K) 
but  1,200  and  more  are  sometimes  given  in  exchange 


90 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


Counterfeiting.  Banks. 

for  a dollar.  On  the  introduction  of  Spanish  dollars 
in  commerce,  they  were  at  first  found  to  be  so  conve- 
nient, that  the  coinage  of  dollars  in  imitation  was  for 
a time  allowed;  but  though  these  commenced  at  a 
higher  rate  than  the  foreign  dollars,  they  soon  sank 
greatly  below  the  standard,  while  the  foreign  coin 
preserved  its  wonted  degree  of  purity.  The  manu- 
facture of  imitation  dollars,  being  now  prohibited,  is 
still  carried  on  to  a considerable  extent  at  some  places 
on  the  coast,  and  at  the  north  the  opium  traders  occa- 
sionally receive  dollars  with  Chinese  and  Mantchou 
characters  and  devices  upon  them,  purporting  to  be 
issued  by  the  present  Emperor.  The  Spanish  dollars 
imported  at  Canton  soon  become  punched  into  such 
a state,  with  the  private  marks  of  all  those  through 
whose  hands  they  pass,  as  to  be  saleable  only  by 
weight.  The  fraudulent  even  introduce  bits  of  lead 
into  the  punch-holes,  and  none  but  freshly  imported 
dollars  can  ever  be  received  without  a very  strict  ex- 
amination, called  shroffing,  in  going  through  which 
process  the  jingling  of  coin  may  be  heard  in  the  for- 
eign residences  throughout  all  hours  of  the  day. 
Small  payments,  if  not  made  in  copper  coin,  are 
effected  by  exchanging  bits  of  silver,  whose  weight  is 
ascertained  by  such  small  ivory  balances  as  that  seen 
in  the  hands  of  the  broker  in  this  case,  with  which  all 
persons  provide  themselves.  The  payments  to  gov- 
ernment not  made  in  kind,  are  in  silver  of  a prescribed 
rate  of  fineness,  which  the  officers  charged  with  the 
collection  of  the  revenue,  generally  deposite  in  some 
of  the  private  banking  establishments,  called  rfgan  po, 
(money  shops,)  selected  for  the  purpose,  who,  for  a per 
centage,  refine  the  silver  until  it  contains  only  two 
per  cent,  alloy,  and  cast  it  into  ingots  of  one  and  ten 
taels  weight  called  Sysee,  upon  which  the  name  of 
the  banker  and  date  of  refining  is  stamped  to  prevent 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  IX. 


91 


Rate  of  Interest.  Paper  Money. 

fraud  on  the  part  of  the  refiner.  There  are  no  char- 
tered or  privileged  banking  companies,  but  the  private 
banks  receive  deposits  from  individuals  either  on  inter- 
est not  exceeding  twelve  per  cent,  or  drawable  at  will 
without  interest.  The  legal  rate  of  interest  is  three  per 
cent,  per  month  and  thirty  per  cent,  per  annum ; but 
this  of  course  is  very  seldom  reached,  except  in  pawn- 
ing and  other  such  short  loans.  All  compound  inter- 
est is  unlawful,  and  whatever  number  of  years  may 
have  elapsed,  the  government  does  not  enforce  any 
claim  for  interest  accumulated  above  the  amount  of 
the  principal,  or  in  the  Chinese  phrase,  “ the  offspring 
must  not  be  greater  than  the  mother.”  The  ordinary 
rate  of  interest  at  Canton  is  from  twelve  to  fifteen  per 
cent,  per  annum. 

According  to  the  Memoirs  sur  le  Chinois,  the  motive 
of  the  government  in  legalizing  such  a high  rate  of 
interest,  is  partly  to  facilitate  loans,  and  partly  to  dis- 
courage luxury  and  prodigality  by  hastening  the  ruin 
of  such  as  borrow  merely  to  spend. 

Some  of  the  former  dynasties  of  China  made  use  of 
paper  money,  which  probably  had  its  origin  there,  and 
was  first  announced  to  Europe  as  existing  in  China, 
by  Marco  Polo,  the  celebrated  Venetian  traveller,  who 
visited  the  Empire  in  the  thirteenth  century.  Accord- 
ing to  the  investigations  of  Klaproth,  paper  money  as 
a substitute  for  metals,  without  being  guarantied  by 
any  sort  of  mortgage  or  security,  was  first  introduced 
during  the  tenth  century,  although  something  of  the 
kind  existed  long  previous,  in  the  promissory  notes  or 
bonds  of  the  government  given  to  traders  to  the  capi- 
tal, and  all  moneyed  persons,  in  exchange  for  their 
cash,  which  they  were  allowed  to  deposit  in  the  im- 
perial treasury.  These  notes  were  eagerly  sought 
after  for  purposes  of  trade,  and  probably  gave  rise  to 
the  issue  of  those  on  a different  system,  which  rapidly 


92 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  IX. 


Paper  Money. 

depreciated,  and  notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  the 
government  to  sustain  the  credit  of  this  paper  money, 
at  different  times,  caused  much  distress  to  the  coun- 
try, and  the  Mongols  were  driven  out  of  China  after 
a reign  of  less  than  a century,  through  its  abuse.  The 
Ming  Emperors  who  succeeded,  were  not  only  unable 
to  abolish  the  paper  in  circulation,  but  compelled  to 
issue  new  notes.  Every  attempt  was  made  by  com- 
pulsive measures,  to  restore  the  paper  currency  to  a 
better  condition,  and  some  of  the  taxes  were  allowed 
to  be  paid  with  it ; but  every  exertion  was  fruitless, 
and  the  notes  went  out  of  circulation ; at  least,  history 
makes  no  mention  of  them  later  than  the  year  1455. 
The  Mantchous,  who  succeeded  the  Ming  Emperors, 
and  are  now  masters  of  China,  have  never  attempted 
to  introduce  a paper  currency,  for  they  are  happily 
ignorant  of  the  European  policy,  which  declares  that 
the  more  a nation  is  in  debt,  the  more  it  is  rich  and 
flourishing. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


93 


Articles  in  Case  X. 


CASE  X. 


Military  Mandarin  of  the  sixth  grade. 

Archer. 

Soldier  with  matchlock, 
do.  with  spear, 
do.  ivith  painted  rattan  shield. 

Militia-man  or  policeman , with  whip  and  lantern. 

Military  weapons  on  the  wall. 

Large  black  velvet  “ Law-Sanf  or  “ State  Umbrella 
embroidered  ivith  gold  ; used  to  hold  over  the  head  of 
the  Emperor  to  protect  him  from  the  sun , and  carried 
as  a banner  in  processions  of  State. 

Richly  embroidered  satin  “ Law -San .” 

Two  richly  embroidered  “ T^soy-Kays  ” or  “ Banner 
which  are  carried  in  processions  upon  a horizontal  staff 
between  two  persons,  one  preceding  the  other. 

The  Mandarin  in  this  case  is  equivalent  to  our  lieu- 
tenant. He  is  dressed  in  the  summer  costume,  with 
a fan  (the  Chinaman’s  constant  companion  in  warm 
weather,)  in  one  hand,  and  a tobacco  pipe  in  the  other. 
The  chair  in  which  he  sits  is  the  kind  used  by  military 
officers  of  the  Celestial  Empire  when  inspecting  their 
troops,  and  is  made  to  shut  up  for  convenience  in 
transporting  it.  The  change  from  the  winter  to  the 
summer  dress,  and  vice  versa,  is  simultaneous  through- 
out a province.  On  the  commencement  of  the  hot  or 
cold  weather,  the  first  person  in  each  province,  as  the 
tsoong-to  or  viceroy,  assumes  his  summer  or  winter 
cap,  which  is  noticed  in  the  official  gazette,  or  court 
circular,  and  is  the  signal  for  every  man  under  his  gov- 


94 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


Archery. 

eminent  to  make  the  same  change.  If  a superior  offi- 
cer to  the  viceroy  happens  to  pass  through  the  pro- 
vince at  the  time,  his  change  of  dress  sets  the  example. 

The  archer  represents  one  of  the  most  esteemed  and 
effective  branches  of  the  Chinese  military.  Their 
dress  is  the  handsomest  and  most  expensive,  and  their 
weapon  is  considered  by  the  Chinese,  and  no  doubt 
is,  superior  to  their  rude  and  ill-constructed  match- 
locks. The  skilful  use  of  the  bow  and  arrow,  like 
fencing  amongst  western  nations,  is  considered  an 
elegant  accomplishment  for  gentlemen,  and  the  bow 
and  arrow  constitute  the  principal  arms  of  the  cavalry, 
who  are  said  to  be  very  expert  in  using  them,  rarely 
missing  the  target  while  their  horses  are  in  rapid  mo- 
tion. The  bow  is  made  of  elastic  wood  and  horn, 
strongly  bound  and  cemented  together,  and  strung 
with  a hard  twisted  cord  of  silk.  The  strength  of  the 
bow  is  estimated  by  the  weight  required  to  bend  it ; 
varying  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  pounds.  The 
longest  exceed  six  feet  and  six  inches.  The  arrows, 
for  practice,  are  made  of  bamboo  with  horn  heads 
pierced  with  holes,  which  make  a whistling  noise  in 
passing  though  the  air ; the  other  extremities  are 
feathered.  The  arrows  used  in  war  are  made  similar- 
ly to  the  others,  except  that  the  heads  are  of  iron  or 
steel,  and  the  shafts  stronger.  In  using  the  bow  and 
arrow,  the  Chinese  wear  a strong,  heavy  ring,  of  agate, 
or  jade  stone,  upon  the  right  hand  thumb,  with  which 
they  draw  the  string. 

The  soldier  with  a matchlock  is  dressed  in  the  uni- 
form of  his  corps,  which  is  plain  and  serviceable  like 
that  of  the  principal  part  of  the  Chinese  military. 
The  matchlock  in  his  hands  is  one  of  those  used  at 
Canton  during  the  difficulties  with  the  English  a few 
years  since,  and  is  a fair  specimen  of  this  species  of 
Chinese  fire  arms.  His  cartridge-box,  it  will  be  ob- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


95 


Mode  of  Fighting. 

served,  is  in  an  exposed  position  in  front  of  his  person 
and  many  fatal  accidents  happened  during  the  war, 
by  pieces  of  the  ignited  match,  with  which  the  guns 
are  touched  oflj  falling  amongst  and  firing  the  cart- 
ridges ; and  in  one  of  the  engagements  at  the  north 
an  English  officer  lost  an  arm  in  attempting  to  take  a 
prisoner  whose  cartridge-box  exploded  at  the  moment 
and  killed  him. 

The  soldier  with  sword  and  shield  is  defending  him- 
self against  his  antagonist  who  is  armed  with  a spear. 
His  shield  is  made  of  rattan,  turned  spirally  around  a 
centre,  and  on  it  is  painted  the  face  of  a hideous  mon- 
ster, the  object  of  which,  is  to  strike  terror  to  the  hearts 
of  the  enemy.  Such  weak  devices  as  this  were  used 
by  the  Chinese,  in  their  last  attempt  to  subdue  the 
“ rebellious  English,”  several  of  which  were  exceed- 
ingly ridiculous.  At  some  of  the  battles  the  brave 
Tartar  soldiers  advanced  to  meet  the  foe  with  their 
faces  painted  like  clowns  at  a circus,  and  throwing 
somersets  as  they  came  on,  to  terrify  the  “ barbari- 
ans.” Several  were  shot  upon  the  wing  (as  the  Eng- 
lish soldiers  called  it)  as  they  performed  their  gyra- 
tions in  the  air.  This  mode  of  attack  is  only  parallel- 
ed by  some  of  the  other  stratagems  which  the  Chinese 
soldiers  were  directed,  by  their  commanding  officers, 
to  put  in  practice.  One  of  the  latter  recommended 
his  men  to  use  their  endeavors  to  throw  the  enemy 
upon  the  ground  as  soon  as  possible,  for  being  once 
down,  an  Englishman,  from  the  tightness  of  his 
breeches,  was  unable  to  rise,  without  assistance,  and 
would  consequently  be  entirely  at  their  mercy. 

The  swords  used  by  the  Chinese  are  generally 
made  of  iron,  and  like  the  matchlocks  are  of  little  use. 
The  spearman’s  weapon,  of  which  there  are  a num- 
ber of  different  forms  upon  the  wall,  is  a more  effec- 
tive instrument,  and  in  the  hands  of  disciplined  troops 


96 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


Militia.  Fire  and  other  Arms. 


would  be  as  serviceable  as  the  bayonet  in  charging 
an  enemy. 

The  sixth  figure  in  this  case  is  one  of  the  militia 
who  are  principally  used  as  a local  police,  and  as 
such,  this  one  has  a lantern  in  one  hand,  with  the 
Mandarin’s  name,  to  whose  corps  be  belongs,  upon 
it,  and  in  the  other  hand  a whip  which  is  used  to  dis- 
perse small  riotous  assemblages  in  the  streets,  and  to 
clear  the  road  before  the  great  man,  his  master.  His 
dress  is  that  of  the  Chinese  militia,  his  upper  garment 
having  the  character  ‘ yung'  (brave)  inscribed  upon 
the  back  as  well  as  front,  which  was  considered  by 
the  English,  who  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing 
it  in  the  former  position,  as  rather  contradicting  this 
quiet  and  modest  assertion. 

In  addition  to  the  spears  of  various  kinds  upon  the 
wall,  there  are  two  bows ; one  with  a case,  and  the 
other  without,  and  two  pair  of  double  swords ; one 
pair  with  a tortoise  shell,  and  the  other  a leather 
sheath.  On  a stand  below  is  a jinjall,  or  long  heavy 
gun  on  a pivot,  which  has  three  moveable  chambers, 
in  which  the  powder  and  ball  are  put,  and  which 
serve  to  replace  each  other  as  often  as  the  gun  is  dis- 
charged These  have  been  used  for  a long  time  by 
the  Chinese,  and  in  principle  are  the  same  as  some  of 
our  late  invented  fire-arms  but  coarsely  made.  Being 
constructed  of  thick  wrought  iron,  and  very  strong, 
there  is  little  danger  of  their  bursting,  and  when  well 
served,  in  close  engagements,  are  effective  weapons 
of  offence  or  defence.  Most  of  the  large  boats  and 
junks  are  armed  with  jinjalls,  in  which  the  Chinese 
have  confidence,  and  which  are  undoubtedly  superior 
to  Chinese  cannon,  which  are  cast  hollow,  not  bored 
out  as  ours  are,  or  even  reamed,  and  no  attention 
being  paid  to  the  quality  of  the  metal,  they  often  burst 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


97 


Composition  of  Army. 

and  destroy  those  whom  they  were  intended  to  de- 
fend. 

Near  the  policeman  is  a long  matchlock  or  sporting 
gun,  and  near  that  is  a small  gun  which  stands  up- 
right, with  its  wooden  cover  on  one  side.  Sets  of 
three  of  these  guns  are  placed  at  each  of  the  gates  of 
Chinese  cities  and  are  fired  as  salutes  whenever  a 
Mandarin  passes  in  or  out.  They  sometimes  serve 
rogues,  who  are  pillaging  in  a body  outside  the  walls, 
a good  turn,  by  giving  them  timely  notice  of  the  ap- 
proach of  officers. 

According  to  the  latest  authorities  the  Chinese  army 
is  divided  into  four  divisions,  according  to  the  number 
of  nations  which  compose  the  Empire. 

The  first  division  consists  of  67,800  Mantchoos  di- 
vided into  678  companies. 

The  second  division  is  composed  of  Mongols  who 
entered  China  with  the  Mantchoos  at  the  time  of  the 
conquest,  and  comprises  a body  of  21,000  men  formed 
into  211  companies. 

The  third  division  is  composed  of  Chinese  who 
joined  the  Mantchoos  towards  the  end  of  the  reign  of 
the  last  Chinese  dynasty.  This  division  includes  the 
field  artillery  of  four  hundred  cannon,  and  consists  of 
27,000  men  divided  into  270  companies.  These  three 
divisions  forming  a total  of  about  116,000  men,  consti- 
tute the  Tartar  regular  army,  the  greater  part  of  which 
is  cavalry,  and  which  is  ranged  under  eight  standards, 
distinguished  by  the  colors,  yellow,  white,  red,  and 
blue,  and  each  of  these  bordered  by  one  of  the  others. 

The  green  flag  distinguishes  the  Chinese  troops, 
who  constitute  the  fourth  division,  which  contains  in 
the  aggregate  about  625,000  men.  These  are  the 
militia  spread  throughout  the  provinces,  most  of  whom 
do  little  or  no  military  duty,  but  having  proved  them- 
selves strong,  able  bodied  men,  by  lifting  the  weights 

13 


93 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


Grades  of  Military  Officers. 

prescribed  by  law,  are  recruited  and  become  liable  to 
be  called  upon  to  serve  at  any  time,  but  the  mass  of 
them  receive  their  pay  of  a few  dollars  a year  and 
continue  at  their  occupations. 

In  addition  to  these  four  divisions  amounting  to 
nearly  740,000  men,  there  is  an  irregular  light  Mongol 
cavalry  which  is  said  by  Timkouski  to  resemble  the 
Russian  Cossacks  of  the  Don,  Oural,  &c.,  who  pay  no 
taxes  but  do  military  service  on  the  frontiers  instead. 
This  body  of  Mongols  is  estimated  by  some  persons, 
at  500,000  men,  but  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  this 
with  any  degree  of  exactness. 

The  Chinese  military  officers,  like  the  civil,  are  di- 
vided into  nine  ranks  distinguished  by  the  same  balls 
upon  their  caps,  but  the  first  rank  of  military  officers 
only  claim  right  of  precedence  with  the  fourth  rank  of 
civilians.  As  Davis  correctly  remarks;  “It  may  be 
considered  as  one  proof  of  social  advancement  on  the 
part  of  the  Chinese,  that  the  civil  authority  is  generally 
superior  to  the  military,  and  that  letters  always  rank 
above  arms,  in  spite  even  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
Tartars  obtained  the  Empire.  In  this  respect  China 
may  be  said  to  have  subdued  her  conquerors.”  “ A 
military  Mandarin  of  the  highest  grade  may  be  often 
seen  on  foot,  when  a civil  officer  of  middling  rank 
would  be  considered  as  degraded  unless  in  a sedan 
with  four  bearers : the  others  are  not  allowed  chairs 
but  may  ride.” 

“ The  highest  military  rank  is  that  of  a tseang-Keun 
or  Tartar  general,  one  of  whom  has  charge  of  the  regu- 
lar troops  in  Canton  province  ; this  post  can  never  be 
filled  by  a Chinese,  but  secondary  commands  may. 
Below  these  are  subordinate  officers,  promoted  in  reg- 
ular order  from  the  lowest  grade,  according  to  their 
physical  strength,  and  their  skill  in  shooting  with  the 
bow,  combined  with  the  activity  and  zeal  which  they 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  X. 


99 


Punishment  of  Military  Officers. 

may  occasionally  display  in  cases  of  civil  commotion 
or  revolt.  One  very  singular  feature  we  must  not 
forget  to  notice,  in  regard  to  the  military  officers  of 
China.  They  are  all  subject  to  corporal  punishment, 
and  very  often  experience  it,  together  with  the  cangue. 
This  parental  allotment  of  a certain  quantum  of  flag- 
ellation and  personal  exposure,  is  occasionally  the  fate 
of  the  highest  officers,  and,  upon  the  whole,  must  be 
regarded  as  a very  odd  way  of  improving  their  military 
character.  It  must  be  observed,  however,  that  enter- 
prising courage  is  not  considered  as  a merit  in  Chinese 
tactics.  They  have  a maxim,  that  ‘rash  and  arrogant 
soldiers  must  be  defeated.’  The  qualities  of  a good 
general  are  enumerated  as  follows  by  the  Chinese. 

‘ The  covetous  he  appoints  to  guard  his  treasure ; the 
uncorrupt  to  dispense  his  rewards ; the  benevolent  to 
accept  submission ; the  discriminating  and  astute  to 
be  envoys ; the  scheming  to  divine  the  enemy’s  plans; 
the  timid  to  guard  the  gate ; the  brave  to  force  the 
enemy;  the  strong  to  seize  an  important  pass;  the 
alert  to  gain  intelligence ; the  deaf  to  keep  a lookout 
and  the  blind  to  listen.  As  a good  carpenter  throws 
away  no  blocks,  so  a good  general  has  no  men  unem- 
ployed. Each  is  selected  according  to  his  capacity ; 
but  favor,  (it  is  added,)  and  interest,  and  secret  influ- 
ence subvert  the  order  of  things,  sending  the  blind  to 
look  out,  and  the  deaf  to  listen.’  ” 

Notwithstanding  the  reputation  the  Chinese  have 
acquired  of  being  great  cowards,  a reputation  which  the 
mass  perhaps  deserve,  according  to  the  general  accep- 
tation of  the  term,  the  English  officers  bear  witness 
that  there  are  some  brave  men  amongst  them.  At 
the  taking  of  the  City  of  Amoy  by  the  British,  in  Au- 
gust, 1841,  a Chinese  officer  was  observed  to  cut  his 
throat  in  a battery  as  the  foreigners  entered  it,  and 


100 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  X. 


Courage  of  the  Chinese. 

another  walked  into  the  sea  and  drowned  himself  in 
the  coolest  manner  possible.  Other  instances  were 
noticed  at  Chinhae,  upon  the  defence  of  which  the 
rich  city  of  Ningpoo  depended  for  preservation,  which, 
with  the  latter,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British  in 
October  of  the  same  year.  The  Chinese  troops  at 
this  place,  although  broken  and  dispersed,  refused  to 
lay  down  their  arms,  preferring  death  to  surrender, 
and  many  officers  committed  suicide ; thus  showing 
that  discipline  was  all  that  was  wanting  to  make  good 
soldiers  of  them.  The  cowardice  of  the  mass  is  prob- 
ably owing  to  the  long  peace  the  Empire  has  enjoyed, 
to  their  naturally  amiable  dispositions,  and  the  state 
of  subjection  they  are  kept  in  during  their  fives  de- 
stroying all  confidence  in  their  own  powers.  But  that 
they  are  naturally  cowards,  we  do  not  believe,  having 
seen  the  class  of  persons  who  would  probably  be  the 
first  to  run  before  a body  of  soldiers,  submit  to  the 
most  painful  operations  of  the  surgeon’s  knife  without 
flinching  in  the  least,  or  even  uttering  a groan. 

The  Chinese  believe  the  gall-bladder  to  be  the  seat 
of  courage,  and  the  heart  the  tenement  of  the  mind ; 
that  the  latter  turns  pale  like  the  face,  when  a person 
is  under  the  influence  of  fear,  and  that  rice  steeped  in 
the  gall-bladder  of  a human  being  and  eaten  will 
make  brave  men  of  cowards. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XI. 


101 


Figures  and  Articles  in  Case  XI. 


CASE  XI. 


Man  ploughing , with  a buffalo  attached  to  the  'plough. 

Man  with  a rush  cape  on  and  a hoe  in  his  hand. 

Man  beating  out  paddy  ( unhulled  rice.) 

Man  whitening  rice. 

Coolie  carrying  two  boxes  of  tea. 

Chain  pump  for  irrigating  rice  fields. 

Machine  for  hulling  paddy. 

Model  of  a winnowing  mill. 

Large  size  belloivs  used  by  blacksmiths. 

Stone  rice  mill. 

Ropes  made  of  bamboo , rattan , and  coir  or  husk  of  the 
cocoa  nut. 

At  the  back  of  the  case  are  some  of  the  implements  used 
in  husbandry,  a variety  of  bamboo  baskets,  &c.,  and 
specimens  of  the  common  cotton  and  grass  cloths  man- 
ufactured by  the  Chinese. 


The  Chinese  husbandman  and  his  implements,  as 
seen  here,  are  probably  the  same  as  they  were  ages 
ago.  The  plough  is  said  to  be  the  counterpart  of  that 
used  by  the  ancient  Hebrews,  and  strongly  resembles 
those  found  among  the  Arabs  or  Syrians.  As  in  other 
countries,  this  implement  is  synonymous  with  hus- 
bandry, a farmer  being  called  Kung-teen-jin , “ a man 
who  ploughs  the  fields.”  The  buffalo  is  used  almost 
entirely  in  the  southern  provinces  for  ploughing  the 
rice  fields  to  which  he  is  peculiarly  adapted,  being  a 
hardy  animal,  living  on  coarse  food,  and  his  nature 
leading  him  to  prefer  wet,  muddy  shallows,  where  he 
may  often  be  seen  wallowing  like  a hog  with  nothing 


102 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XI. 


Buffalo.  Modes  of  threshing  and  carrying  Loads. 

but  his  head  above  water.  From  this  propensity  he 
receives  his  Chinese  name  of “ Shuey-new “water-ox.” 

The  rush  cape  worn  by  the  second  figure  is  also 
used  by  fishermen  and  others  in  rainy  weather,  and 
the  “ C/m,”  or  hoe  in  his  hand  is  the  most  common 
utensil  in  Chinese  husbandry.  A considerable  part  of 
the  turning  over  the  soil  is  done  with  it  instead  of  the 
plough,  and  by  practice  the  Chinaman  has  learned  to 
apply  it  to  almost  as  many  uses  as  there  are  separate 
instruments  in  other  countries. 

Next  to  thrashing  with  the  flail,  the  mode  of  beat- 
ing the  paddy  from  the  straw  exhibited  here  is  the 
most  common.  The  tub  and  other  apparatus  is  car- 
ried to  the  field,  and  the  grain  as  fast  as  cut  is  brought 
to  it  and  the  paddy  beat  out  immediately.  By  this 
method  the  straw  is  injured  very  little,  and  serves  for 
making  brooms,  rain  cloaks,  mats,  &c.  Animals  are 
also  sometimes  used  in  treading  out  grain.  All  the 
principal  farms  have  thrashing  grounds,  made  of  hard 
earth  or  chunam,  and  almost  every  village  has  a pub- 
lic one  for  the  accommodation  of  small  farmers. 

The  paddy  is  deprived  of  its  husk,  and  whitened 
either  by  the  trip  hammer  and  mortar,  at  which  the 
fourth  figure  is  at  work,  or  the  circular  machine  seen 
at  the  back  of  the  case  made  of  pieces  of  bamboo  set 
on  end  in  a frame,  and  fastened  with  chunam,  a 
cement  made  of  lime  and  oil. 

Our  coolie  represents  a numerous  body  in  China 
where  nearly  everything  is  carried  by  them.  At  the 
north,  carts  with  low  plank  wheels  and  wheelbarrows, 
are  sometimes  seen ; but  at  the  south  there  are  many 
who  never  even  heard  of  such  things,  and  at  Hong 
Kong  an  anecdote  is  told  which  illustrates  their  igno- 
rance of  such  machines,  as  well  as  their  attachment 
to  “ old  custom.”  In  making  some  of  the  roads  along 
the  side  of  the  mountain  where  the  town  of  Victoria 


CHINESE  MUSEUM- — CASE  XI. 


103 


Strength  of  Coolies.  Machines. 

is  located,  the  superintendent  thought  the  work  would 
be  expedited  by  using  wheelbarrows,  and  accordingly 
procured  some  which  were  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
coolies  without  any  instructions  about  the  manner  of 
using  them,  it  being  taken  for  granted  they  knew  how ; 
but  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  foreigners,  who 
happened  to  be  looking  on  at  the  time,  the  Chinamen, 
after  filling  the  barrows,  with  which  they  seemed 
pleased,  slung  them  with  a rope  upon  the  bamboos, 
as  they  were  wont  to  do  their  baskets,  and  in  pairs, 
with  the  barrows  between  them,  trudged  off  to  the 
edge  of  the  bank  with  their  loads ; and  it  was  some- 
time, and  not  without  much  trouble,  that  they  were 
induced  to  use  them  properly.  The  Chinese  coolies 
are  probably  as  muscular  a body  of  men  as  can  be 
found  in  the  world,  although  their  food  is  principally 
rice.  Their  pace  is  always  a kind  of  half  run,  and 
they  may  be  often  seen  moving  along  with  loads  of 
one  or  two  hundred  pounds  apiece  at  the  rate  of  four 
or  five  miles  an  hour.  Farmers  and  coolies  wages 
do  not  usually  exceed  three  or  four  cents  a day  and 
boarded  and  many  do  not  get  as  much. 

The  farming  implements  and  machines  in  this  case 
are  the  principal  ones  used  by  the  Chinese.  The 
fanning-mill  is  sometimes  used  to  clean  tea  as  well  as 
grain,  which  is  more  commonly  separated  from  the 
chaff  by  being  let  fall,  from  such  large  bamboo  trays 
as  are  here  seen,  in  a current  of  air.  The  fanning- 
mill  is  said,  by  Davis,  to  have  originated  in  China, 
where  it  is  made  like  this  model,  with  several  spouts 
to  separate  the  grains  of  different  gravities  as  well  as 
to  clean  it  from  the  chaff.  The  chain  pump  is  of 
various  dimensions ; this  is  a small  one.  It  is  only 
calculated  for  raising  water  to  small  heights  and  is 
generally  worked  by  hand  with  a crank,  or  by  the  feet 
with  treddles,  on  the  shaft,  which,  being  turned,  draws 


104 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XI. 


Cloth  Manufacture.  Agriculture. 

the  boards  up  the  trough  in  succession,  and  the  water 
in  front  of  them.  The  suction  pump  is  unknown  in 
China,  and  the  force  pump,  which  was  introduced  by 
Europeans,  is  but  little  used. 

The  common  cloths  in  this  case  are  manufactured 
cheaply,  and  retailed  at  a low  price,  and  the  partiality 
of  the  Chinese  for  their  own  productions,  leads  them 
to  make  use  of  these  in  preference  to  foreign  goods ; 
some  of  which  are  much  better  and  equally  as  cheap. 

As  agriculturists,  the  Chinese  have  generally  been 
overrated  by  authors,  as  it  is  said  by  competent  judges 
that  they  do  not  equal  the  English.  They  are  better 
gardeners  than  farmers,  and  in  that  art  certainly  do 
excel.  Their  terrace  cultivation  has  been  much  ex- 
aggerated by  those  writers  who  affirm  that  nearly  all 
the  hills  are  terraced  to  the  very  summits,  when  in 
fact  but  very  few  are,  as  is  testified  to  by  Davis  and 
other  members  of  European  embassies  who  have  vis- 
ited the  interior,  and  nearly  every  person,  visiting 
China,  is  disappointed  at  seeing  the  large  number  of 
barren  hills  between  the  ocean  and  Canton,  a distance 
of  seventy-five  or  eighty  miles,  where  it  was  expected 
a perfect  garden  would  be  found.  Other  parts  of  the 
Empire  are  said  to  present  a similar  spectacle,  and 
Peking,  the  capital,  is  situated  upon  a sandy,  arid 
plain,  incapable  of  sustaining  vegetation.  Those  hills 
only  are  terraced,  where  the  soil  warrants  a good 
return  for  the  labor  expended,  and  where  a plentiful 
supply  of  water  can  be  conveniently  obtained.  Agri- 
culture in  China  holds  a rank  second  only  to  literature, 
and  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  those  times 
when  princes  themselves  were  cultivators  of  the  soil, 
the  Emperors  of  China,  accompanied  by  the  chief 
officers  and  princes  of  the  blood,  repair  at  the  proper 
time,  in  the  spring  of  each  year,  to  the  temple  of  the 
inventor  of  agriculture  at  Peking,  the  grounds  about 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XI. 


105 


Agricultural  Ceremonies.  Rice. 

which  are  enclosed  by  a high  wall,  to  till  the  ground 
and  offer  sacrifice  to  Heaven.  The  part  of  the  field 
tilled  by  the  Emperor  is  covered  with  a kind  of  tent 
made  of  mats,  and  after  he  has  ploughed  for  about 
half  an  hour  he  ascends  a neighboring  eminence 
whence  he  examines  the  work  of  the  princes,  minis- 
ters and  Mandarins,  who,  guided  by  the  most  expe- 
rienced cultivators,  plough  in  the  open  air.  All  are 
dressed  like  farmers,  and  while  they  are  at  work  the 
musicians  of  the  court  sing  hymns  composed  in  an- 
cient times  in  honor  of  agriculture.  The  ploughs  are 
drawn  by  oxen  which  are  never  used  on  any  other 
occasion.  There  are  also  granaries  destined  for  the 
produce,  part  of  which  is  used  for  seed  upon  future 
occasions  and  part  to  make  cakes  for  the  sacrifice  to 
Heaven. 

Rice,  the  principal  production  of  China,  may  be  call- 
ed the  staff  of  life  in  that  populous  country,  and  Gutz- 
laff  remarks,  that  a native  of  the  southern  provinces 
will  not  admit  he  has  made  a meal,  unless  he  has  eat- 
en a sufficient  quantity  of  rice,  and  some  Chinese 
once  inquiring  of  him  whether  the  western  barbarians 
ate  rice,  and  finding  him  slow  to  answer  them  ex- 
claimed : “ Oh ! the  sterile  regions  of  the  barbarians, 
which  produce  not  the  necessaries  of  life.  Strange 
that  the  inhabitants  have  not  long  ago  died  of  hun- 
ger!” Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  enormous 
consumption  of  this  article,  when  it  is  stated  that  a 
ship  load  of  12,000  piculs  of  1331  pounds  each  or 
more  than  a million  and  a half  of  pounds  of  rice  does 
not  equal  the  amount  consumed  in  the  city  of  Canton 
in  a single  day.  At  the  south,  two  crops  of  rice  and 
one  of  vegetables  are  raised  upon  the  same  spot  of 
ground  in  a year,  and  as  might  be  expected  in  a 
country  where  the  ground  is  urged  to  the  utmost,  all 
kinds  of  manure  are  in  demand.  Decayed  animal 

14 


106 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XI. 


Scarcity  of  Animals.  Manure.  Taxes. 

and  vegetable  matter,  sweepings  of  streets,  the  mud 
from  ditches,  burnt  bones  and  lime  and  even  barbers’ 
shavings,  which  are  not  inconsiderable,  as  millions  of 
heads  are  shaved  every  ten  days,  are  industriously 
gathered  and  sold ; but  the  collections  from  sinks  and 
other  animal  manure  is  esteemed  the  highest,  and 
mixed  with  loamy  earth,  and  dried  in  small  masses  in 
the  sun,  it  forms  a considerable  article  of  commerce. 
In  towns  and  on  rivers  the  whole  atmosphere  seems 
at  times  to  be  impregnated  with  the  odor  left  by  pass- 
ing scavengers,  who  pay  little  attention  to  the  olfac- 
tory nerves  of  less  interested  persons.  Every  farm 
is  furnished  with  a cistern  in  which  the  manure  is  dis- 
solved and  kept  until  required  for  use.  It  is  not  mix- 
ed with  the  soil,  but  universally  applied  to  the  plant 
itself  in  a liquid  state,  and  most  seeds  are  steeped  in 
it  previous  to  being  sown. 

What  few  diminutive  horses  and  cows  the  Chinese 
have,  are  pastured  on  waste  land  incapable  of  cultiva- 
tion. They  have  no  good  land  to  spare  for  animals, 
all  is  needed  for  the  support  of  man.  In  consequence 
of  this  very  few  can  afford  to  eat  animal  food,  and 
Davis  says  that  there  is  no  people  in  the  world  who 
eat  so  little  meat  or  so  much  fish  and  vegetables  as 
the  Chinese.  The  tax  on  land  is  part  in  kind  and 
part  in  money,  but  the  sum  is  small,  and  reduced 
considerably  or  remitted  altogether  in  case  of  destruc- 
tive drought  or  inundation.  The  farms  are  generally 
small  and  without  fences,  being  usually  divided  by 
ditches,  but  the  low  wet  lands  where  rice  is  cultivated 
are  divided  by  narrow  embankments  which  are  used 
as  walks  and  means  of  communication  between  vil- 
lages. No  wide  roads  are  seen  at  the  south,  or  indeed 
needed,  as  wheel  carriages  are  not  used. 

In  addition  to  the  chain  pump  for  irrigating  their 
fields,  the  Chinese  have  several  other  simple  machines 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XI. 


107 


Flour  Mills.  Application  of  Machinery. 

for  the  same  purpose.  The  principal  of  these  is  a 
wheel,  sometimes  forty  feet  in  diameter,  which,  with 
the  exception  of  the  shaft,  and  supports,  is  made  en- 
tirely of  bamboo.  The  paddies  are  of  basket  work, 
and  some  bamboo  tubes  open  at  one  end,  and  fasten- 
ed on  to  the  circumference  of  the  wheel,  tangent  to, 
or  diagonally  across  it,  take  up  the  water  from  the 
stream,  (in  which  the  wheel  is  placed,  and  turned  by 
the  current  striking  the  paddles,)  and  carrying  it  to  the 
top  of  the  wheel,  discharge  it  into  a gutter  which  con- 
veys it  to  the  place  required.  It  is  calculated  that 
some  of  these  wheels  raise  upwards  of  three  hundred 
tons  of  water  to  the  height  of  forty  feet  in  twenty-four 
hours. 

The  mills  used  by  the  Chinese  for  making  flour  are 
made  of  two  stones,  (usually  a hard  granite)  with  the 
faces  grooved  like  our  mill  stones,  and  the  top  one 
turning  round  an  iron  pin  fastened  into  the  lower  one. 
The  hopper  is  fastened  to  the  upper  stone  over  a small 
hole  a little  one  side  of  the  centre.  Most  of  these 
mills  are  small  and  turned  by  a single  person ; but 
the  public  ones  are  usually  turned  by  buffaloes,  a few 
only  by  water  power.  In  the  two  first  mentioned, 
the  upper  stones  are  turned  by  levers  fastened  to  them 
and  in  the  buffalo  mills  the  animals  (one  to  each  run 
of  stones)  walk  around  in  circles  twelve  feet  in  diam- 
eter, seven  or  eight  times  a minute.  Four  buffaloes 
working  by  turns  at  one  run  of  stones  will  grind  from 
three  to  four  hundred  pounds  of  grain  per  day.  In 
the  water  power  mills  the  upper  stones  have  sticks 
fastened  into  the  circumference  which  act  as  cogs,  and 
which  are  turned  by  similar  sticks  fastened  into  the 
shaft  of  the  water-wheel.  The  water-wheels  generally 
used  are  overshot,  and  a run  of  stones  turned  by  one 
of  them  usually  grinds  six  or  seven  hundred  pounds 
of  grain  in  twenty-four  hours.  These,  like  the  few 


108 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XII. 


Mechanics. 


other  machines  used  by  the  Chinese,  are  of  the  sim- 
plest kind,  but  their  tools  and  agricultural  implements 
appear  to  be  particularly  designed  to  direct  labor  not  to 
supersede  it.  If  improvements,  manifest  and  simple, 
are  proposed  to  a Chinese,  the  proposer  is  immediately 
referred  to  ancient  custom,  and  the  usage  of  his 
fathers,  or  perhaps  to  the  fear  of  being  squeezed  by  the 
Mandarins,  and  this  is  an  end  to  all  controver- 
sy. Educated  to  reverence  antiquity,  and  to  think  the 
usages  and  productions  of  the  Celestial  Empire  per- 
fection, the  force  of  custom  on  the  minds  of  the  Chi- 
nese is  a great  bar  to  their  improvement.  Experience 
has  shown,  that  a supply  of  food  can  be  procured,  and 
a numerous  population  supported  by  an  adherence  to 
the  ancient  mode,  and  a Chinaman  is  the  last  person 
to  waste  either  land  or  labor  in  venturesome  experi- 
ments. 


CASE  XII. 


Carpenter , sawing. 

Carpenter , planing , with  bench  and  tools  complete. 

Travelling  blacksmith , with  his  forge , bellows  and  other 
apparatus , mending  a cast  iron  vessel. 

Itinerant  Shoemaker , with  his  kit,  at  work. 

Over  head  is  a large  rush  umbrella,  such  as  is  seen  cover- 
ing small  moveable  establishments  of  various  kinds  in 
the  streets  and  market-places  of  Canton. 


In  China,  the  sawyer’s  the  carpenter’s,  the  joiner’s, 
and  the  sashmaker’s  trade  are  all  exercised  by  the 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XII. 


109 


Peculiarity  of  Tools. 

same  person.  There  are  no  saw-mills,  planing  ma- 
chines, or  sash  factories,  and  in  sauntering  about  the 
streets  of  the  cities,  at  the  door  of  a shop,  or  new  build- 
ing, may  be  seen  one  or  two  men  sawing  boards  from 
the  logs,  and  inside  other  workmen  manufacturing 
them  into  the  different  forms  for  constructing  or  finish- 
ing a house.  Their  carpenter’s  tools  are  few,  peculiar, 
and  rudely  made ; but  the  work  done  with  them  al- 
though not  equal  to  that  of  our  mechanics,  made  with 
more  perfect  instruments,  is  probably  much  superior 
to  what  they  could  produce  with  similar  ones.  The 
peculiarity  of  their  tools  will  be  immediately  noticed 
by  a mechanic ; the  handsaw  resembles  our  bucksaw 
except  that  the  blade  stands  at  an  angle  to  the  frame, 
the  plane,  from  its  diminutive  size,  looks  like  a play- 
thing, and  is  used,  as  seen  in  the  hands  of  one  of  the 
figures,  the  chisels  and  gouges  are  few  and  have  very 
short  blades,  the  rough  wooden  drill-stock,  with  a 
bamboo  bow  and  dart-shaped  drills,  answers  instead 
of  gimblets,  a bolt  and  ring  serves  to  draw  nails,  as 
the  clumsy  looking  hatchet  does  to  drive  them ; the 
adze,  with  its  wooden  head,  is  a curiosity  from  the 
economy  of  iron  evinced  in  its  construction,  and,  like 
many  other  things,  the  exact  opposite  to  ours,  the  line 
for  marking  boards,  &c.,  is  black  instead  of  white. 
This  marking  apparatus  is  a convenient  affair;  the 
line  is  wound  on  a spool,  fastened  in  a small  box  and 
turned  with  a wire  crank ; when  drawn  out  it  passes 
through  some  cotton  containing  moistened  India  ink, 
which  is  also  used  with  a slip  of  bamboo  for  marking 
as  a pencil,  a small  weight  fastened  to  the  end  of  the 
line  keeps  it  from  being  drawn  into  the  box  and  serves 
as  a plummet. 

A Chinese  mechanic  knows  nothing  about  augers, 
braces  and  bits,  gimlets,  drawing  knives,  spoke  shaves, 
and  the  host  of  other  tools  used  with  us  to  save  labor 


110 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XII. 


Itinerant  Blacksmiths  and  Shoemakers. 


and  economize  time.  These  are  not  desideratums  to 
the  myriads  of  China  who  overcome  physical  obsta- 
cles, like  insects,  by  dint  of  numbers,  but  economy  of 
materials  is  the  great  object.  Their  pay  will  not 
admit  of  their  spending  hundreds  of  dollars  for  tools, 
their  chest  and  all  the  contents,  they  can  easily  carry 
in  one  hand  to  the  place  where  required  for  use,  and 
if  they  need  a hole  larger  than  can  be  made  with  a 
drill,  they  have  the  time  to  make  it  with  a chisel  or 
gouge. 

The  travelling  blacksmith  is  engaged  in  the  cele- 
brated operation  of  ‘ welding  cast  iron as  it  has  been 
incorrectly  called,  but  which  as  the  observer  will 
notice  is  nothing  more  than  filling  up  a crack  (made 
wider  for  the  purpose)  in  a broken  cast  iron  vessel 
with  drops  of  the  same  metal  in  a melted  state  which 
are  pressed  down  on  each  side  with  the  rolls  of  cotton 
cloth  which  he  has  in  his  hands.  After  filling  the 
fracture  in  this  manner  it  is  rubbed  over  with  clay  to 
stop  up  any  remaining  small  holes. 

The  blacksmith’s  tools  are  more  portable  than  a 
person  would  expect  they  could  be  made ; his  bellows 
has  no  unnecessary  machinery  or  finish  about  it.  It 
is  usually  made  of  the  section  of  a tree  bored  out  and 
a piston  fitted  to  it,  which,  being  moved  to  and  fro,  by 
the  handle  at  one  extremity,  the  air  is  alternately 
forced  out  and  drawn  in  at  each  end ; thus  making 
the  blast  nearly,  but  not  quite,  continuous.  His  fur- 
nace is  small,  but  large  enough  for  all  the  work  re- 
quired of  him,  and  with  the  baskets  containing  his 
hammers,  scraper,  files,  and  fuel,  and  when  he  moves, 
his  forge  and  bellows,  slung  at  each  end  of  a pole  on 
his  shoulder,  he  trudges  about  from  place  to  place, 
seeking  employment.  Most  of  the  metal  work  of  the 
Chinese  which  will  admit  of  it,  is  finished  by  scraping 
instead  of  filing  or  polishing. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM— CASE  XII. 


Ill 


Mechanics'  Wages.  Food. 

The  honest  shoemaker,  who  sits  beside  his  brother 
vulcan,  has  suspended  operations  upon  the  old  shoe 
between  his  knees,  and  is  looking  very  wisely  through 
his  large  spectacles  at  the  cast  iron  vessel  which  the 
knight  of  the  hammer  and  tongs  is  repairing.  There 
are  4,200  shoemakers  in  Canton,  many  of  whom  be- 
long to  the  wandering  class,  and  hardly  a street  can 
be  passed  but  one  of  them  is  seen  industriously  plying 
his  trade. 

The  number  of  persons  engaged  in  different  me- 
chanical employments  in  the  City  of  Canton  is  esti- 
mated at  246,000,  and  each  of  the  respective  trades 
form  to  a certain  degree,  a separate  community,  and 
have  each  their  own  laws  and  rules  for  the  regulation 
of  their  business.  The  wages  of  journeymen  carpen- 
ters, blacksmiths  and  mechanics  of  that  class,  are  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  cents  a day  and  boarded.  Wood 
carvers  get  from  eighteen  to  forty  cents  and  found, 
and  ivory  carvers  from  twenty  to  sixty  cents.  Me- 
chanics eat  three  meals  a day,  viz : at  7,  A.  M.,  1,  P.  M., 
and  6,  P.  M.  The  food  consists  principally  of  rice, 
with  a little  fish  or  pork  to  season  it,  and  a few  greens. 
Each  person  will  eat  on  an  average  a catty  (equal  to 
a pound  and  a third)  of  rice  at  a meal,  and  the  daily 
expense  for  each  individual’s  food  does  not  exceed 
ten  cents.  All  mechanics  work  from  seven  in  the 
morning  until  sundown. 

Such  large  umbrellas  as  the  one  overhead  in  this 
case,  are  generally  seen  protecting  a number  of  half 
naked  beings,  from  the  rays  of  the  sun,  who  are 
gambling  for  the  value  of  a cash  (the  tenth  part  of  a 
cent)  in  pea  nuts,  or  something  of  equal  worth,  and 
crowding  around  the  board  underneath,  the  lookers 
on  evince  as  much  anxiety  as  if  they  had  an  interest 
in  the  valuable  stake.  Some  of  these  establishments 
remain  stationary  for  a considerable  length  of  time, 


112 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIII. 

Gambling.  Tanka  Boat. 

unless  disturbed  by  the  Mandarins,  and  are  enclosed 
at  night  with  a screen- work  of  bamboo,  which  rolls  up 
into  a compact  form  in  the  day  time. 

The  lower  orders  of  Chinese  are  much  addicted  to 
gambling,  which  is  a vice  chiefly  confined  to  them, 
and  notwithstanding  the  law  to  the  contrary,  in  the 
more  retired  streets  of  the  cities  are  gambling  houses 
where  these  wretches  congregate.  The  most  com- 
mon game  is  that  of  quadrating  cash,  which  consists 
in  throwing  down  a handful,  or  an  unknown  number 
of  cash,  small  stones,  or  bits  of  crockery  and  counting 
them  out  by  fours.  This  game  is  called  ( cha  tan,’ 
and  the  issue  depends  on  the  remainder  bet  upon. 
Ten,  twenty,  and  more  men  are  often  seen  around  a 
table,  different  members  of  the  group  exhibiting  all 
the  passions  of  the  gambler — fear,  hope,  success  or 
disappointment,  as  they  win  or  lose  alternately. 


CASE  XIII. 

Tanka  boat  woman  sculling , with  an  infant  on  her  back, 
do.  do.  girl  rowing. 

Small  boy  with  float  tied  to  his  back , playing. 

Tanka  boat  complete. 

Large  and  beautiful  lacquered  and  gilt  screen  with  elab- 
orate carved  border.  The  finest  and  most  expensive 
specimen  of  this  ware  ever  brought  from  China. 
Elegant  model  of  a nine  storied  pagoda. 

Baskets  and  bird  cases  made  of  bamboo. 

Lacquered  baskets , &c.,  much  used  by  the  Chinese. 
Ladies'1  and  gentlemen's  dressing  cases. 

The  first  object  which  meets  the  eye  in  visiting 
China  is  the  barren  looking  coast ; the  next  the  fish- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIII. 


113 


River  population  at  Canton. 

mg  smacks;  and  the  next  the  tanka  (egg  house) 
boats  who  swarm  round  vessels  coming  to  anchor, 
the  inmates  all  screeching  at  once  in  a jargon  difficult 
to  be  understood  by  a new  comer,  but  which  is  soon 
learned.  Every  one  is  dignified  with  the  title  of 
“ Massa  Cap’n,”  and  “ My  poaty  la,  My  poaly  la  Massa 
Caprn!  My  sobby  youfacy  line  old  tim  Massa  Cap^n!” 
is  generally  the  burthen  of  their  song.  In  Macao 
roads,  where  vessels  usually  stop  before  proceeding 
up  to  the  Canton  anchorage,  the  tanka  boats  are  gen- 
erally navigated  by  young  girls,  in  competition  with 
whom  the  old  women  meet  with  poor  encourage- 
ment. The  boat  seen  in  this  case  was  purchased 
from  the  family  who  were  using  it  at  the  time  on  the 
river  at  Canton,  and  is  of  the  ordinary  size  seen  at 
Macao,  but  not  quite  as  large  as  some  of  the  same 
class  at  Whampoa  and  Canton.  At  the  latter  place 
there  are  84,000  registered  boats  upon  the  river,  most 
of  which  are  these  tanka  boats,  in  which  a man,  un- 
less a passenger  is  seldom  seen  in  the  day  time.  The 
fathers  of  the  families  residing  in  them  are  generally 
fishermen,  boatmen,  or  coolies,  whose  employments 
call  them  away,  and  who  are  obliged  to  leave  their  boats 
and  families  in  charge  of  the  mothers,  who  in  addition 
to  taking  care  of  them  often  raise  some  ducks  or 
chickens  for  sale  in  small  coops  hanging  over  the 
sterns  of  the  boats.  These  boats  are  generally  kept 
much  cleaner  than  Chinese  dwellings  on  land,  and  in 
common  with  their  other  vessels  as  well  as  houses, 
every  one  has  a shrine  and  Jos,  or  representation  of 
one,  before  which  a jos  stick  is  kept  continually  burn- 
ing, and  morning  and  evening  a general  chin  chinning 
(as  they  call  their  noisy  worship,)  consisting  of  the 
beating  of  gongs  and  burning  of  paper,  takes  place  to 
propitiate  their  idols.  The  females  who  live  in  these 
boats  appear  to  be  out  of  their  clement  when  on  land, 

15 


114 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIII. 


Lacquered  Ware. 

and  by  the  running  pace  at  which  they  move  seem 
to  be  afraid  some  accident  will  befall  them  before 
reaching  their  boats.  The  mode  of  carrying  infants 
tied  on  to  the  back  is  universal  in  China  and  resem- 
bles the  same  custom  amongst  our  Indians.  The 
larger  children  generally  carry  the  infants,  and  those 
not  higher  than  a walking-stick,  are  often  seen  with 
babies  strapped  on  to  their  backs.  Most  of  the  small 
children  have  floats  made  of  light  wood,  or  a bottle 
gourd  tied  to  their  backs  to  keep  them  from  sinking 
if  they  fall  into  the  water,  which  they  seldom  do, 
although  they  appear  to  move  about  in  the  most  care- 
less manner.  It  is  said  that  in  case  they  fall  over- 
board in  addition  to  a ducking,  they  get  flogged, 
which  makes  them  more  careful  in  future.  Chinese 
boats  are  principally  propelled  by  sculling  oars  at 
their  sterns,  which  work  on  pivots  with  very  little 
friction  and  noise.  Some  of  the  large  passenger  boats 
have  four  or  more  large  sculls,  (each  worked  by  ten 
or  a dozen  men,)  two  placed  at  the  sides  of  the  sterns, 
and  the  others  at  stagings  on  the  sides.  When  mov- 
ing at  full  speed,  these  boats  go  as  if  urged  by  steam 
power.  The  oars  or  sculls  are  all  made  of  two  pieces, 
fastened  together  with  rattans. 

China  as  well  as  Japan  is  celebrated  for  its  lacquered 
ware  which  was  formerly  quite  an  article  of  export, 
but  since  the  improvements  made  by  Europeans  in  the 
manufacture  of  varnishes,  the  consumption  of  the 
Chinese  ware  is  quite  limited.  The  varnish  used  by 
the  Chinese  for  fine  articles  is  obtained  from  the  Tsie- 
shoo,  or  lacquer  shrub,  which  grows  in  Japan  and  the 
provinces  north  of  Canton,  from  which  it  distils  like 
gum,  and  though  commonly  used  with  a jet  black,  or 
red,  is  capable  of  taking  all  colors.  The  finer  quality 
of  lacquer  is  quite  poisonous  in  a liquid  state,  and 
persons  easily  affected  by  contact  with  poisonous 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIII. 


115 


Lacquered  Ware.  Pagodas. 

shrubs  often  suffer  with  swelled  hands  and  faces  after 
visiting  the  lacquer  ware  stores  and  handling  the 
newly  manufactured  articles. 

The  expense  of  this  ware  depends  upon  the  quality 
of  the  varnish,  the  number  of  coats  and  labor  in  ap- 
plying them  and  the  beauty  of  the  design.  The  large 
screen  in  this  case  was  thirteen  months  in  the  hands 
of  an  extensive  manufacturer  of  this  ware,  and  during 
the  embellishment  of  it,  two  persons  were  employed 
upon  each  of  the  eight  leaves  night  and  day. 

The  body  of  the  articles  is  generally  a fine  grained, 
well  seasoned  wood,  which  is  first  covered  with  raw 
silk,  fastened  on  with  glue,  to  prevent  its  cracking. 
A coat  of  finely  ground  and  washed  sand  stone  is  then 
applied  with  glue  and  brought  to  a uniform  surface, 
as  a ground  work  for  the  lacquer,  a coat  of  which  is 
then  put  on  with  considerable  care,  and  after  allow- 
ing it  to  dry  slowly  and  thoroughly,  which  takes  from 
two  to  four  weeks,  is  rubbed  down  and  polished. 
The  other  coats  of  varnish  are  added  one  after  the 
other  in  the  same  manner  until  the  desired  thickness 
is  obtained. 

The  outlines  of  the  design  are  first  drawn  and 
pricked  upon  paper,  which  being  laid  upon  the  article 
and  covered  with  white  powder,  when  taken  off 
leaves  the  design  in  dotted  lines  upon  it.  This  is 
then  filled  up  by  different  persons,  one  applying  the 
size  for  retaining  the  gold  leaf,  another  putting  on  the 
leaf,  and  others  the  different  colors  required ; thus  ex- 
pediting the  process  by  separating  the  different  kinds 
of  labor. 

This  case  contains,  in  adition  to  the  boat  and 
screen,  a large  and  a beautiful  model  of  a nine  storied 
pagoda.  These  lofty  edifices,  towering  to  the  skies, 
constitute  one  of  the  beauties  of  a Chinese  landscape. 
There  appears  to  be  some  doubt  concerning  their 


116 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIII. 


Influence  ascribed  to  Pagodas. 

origin,  but  the  supposition  is  that  they  are  monuments 
of  Budhism,  as  many  of  them  have  temples  dedicated 
to  Budha  in  their  vicinity,  and  some  of  them  contain 
Budhistic  idols.  That  they  arc  intimately  connected 
with  the  superstition  of  the  Chinese,  and  that  they 
suppose  them  to  exert  a salutary  influence  upon  the 
country  surrounding  them,  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
from  the  tenor  of  the  subscription  papers  occasionally 
circulated  by  the  literati  and  gentry  for  their  repair. 
The  following  is  a translation  of  one  issued  at  Can- 
ton, taken  from  the  Chinese  Repository: — “ Fellow 
countrymen ! The  region  of  country  southeast  of  the 
provincial  city,  on  account  of  its  water  courses,  has 
an  important  influence  on  the  fortunes  of  the  inhabit- 
ants. From  an  examination  of  old  records  it  appears 
that 'the  pagoda  on  Pachow  and  the  adjacent  temple, 
were  built  in  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  Wanleih  ; and 
that  the  pagoda  at  Clieikang,  and  the  temple  there  con- 
secrated to  the  god  of  letters,  were  founded  in  the  reign 
of  Teenke  ; all  these  structures  have  had  a most  happy 
influence  on  every  thing  around  them,  causing  the 
number  of  literati  to  be  very  numerous,  and  the  pro- 
ductions of  the  soil  most  abundant.  Recently,  how- 
ever, the  winds  and  the  rains,  driving  furiously,  have 
broken  down  the  tops  of  the  pagodas,  and  laid  the 
temples  in  ruins,  and  injured  even  their  foundations. 
Their  appearance  now  is  very  unsightly ; they  ought 
to  be  repaired,  in  order  to  secure  the  return  of  happy 
and  prosperous  times.  The  pagoda  on  the  north  of 
the  city,  which  rises  five  stories  high,  and  has  its  walls 
painted  red,  a color  which  is  from  its  very  nature  pro- 
ductive of  fire,  ought  also  to  be  repaired,  and  painted 
with  some  other  color.  Already  we  have  obtained 
the  permission  of  their  excellencies,  the  governor  in 
council,  to  proceed  with  the  contemplated  repairs,  and 
also  recommendatory  papers  in  which  they  advise  the 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIV. 


117 


Porcelain  and  Enameled  Ware. 

people  to  assist  in  accomplishing  this  work.  It  being 
an  affair  which  greatly  concerns  both  our  honor  and 
prosperity,  we  have  a right  to  expect,  fellow-country- 
men, that  you  will  heartily  cooperate,  joyfully  and 
promptly  contributing,  little  or  much,  according  to  your 
ability,  so  that  by  our  united  efforts  the  repairs  may 
be  soon  undertaken,  and  the  buildings  rise  again  to 
their  former  splendor ! Then  according  to  your  deeds 
of  merit,  the  gods  will  send  prosperity,  and  your  glory 
and  virtue  will  become  great  beyond  comprehension. 
A special  solicitation.” 

Chinese  pagodas  vary  in  height  and  the  number  of 
stories,  but  rank  amongst  the  most  durable  structures 
of  the  country.  The  most  celebrated  is  the  famous 
porcelain  tower  at  Nanking.  This  building  is  nine 
stories,  and  rises  two  hundred  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  body  is  of  blue  brick,  covered  with  porcelain  tiles. 


CASE  XIV. 

150  and  151.  A pair  of  the  largest  size  porcelain 
vases,  painted  to  represent  some  of  the  battles 
fought  in  ancient  times  between  the  Tartars 
and  Chinese.  These  paintings  are  preferred 
in  China  to  the  more  modern  styles,  and  are 
not  fanciful  caricatures,  as  supposed  by  many. 
The  representation  of  similar  scenes  is  one  of 
the  principal  attractions  of  the  Chinese  stage 
at  the  present  day,  and  the  actors  dress  in  the 
ancient  costumes  as  seen  on  these  and  other 
articles  of  Chinese  porcelain. 

152  and  153.  A pair  of  vases  similar  to  the  above,  of 
the  next  size  smaller. 


118 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIV. 


Porcelain  and  Enameled  Ware. 

154  and  155.  A pair  of  porcelain  vases  of  the  third 
size,  elegantly  painted  with  single  figures. 

156.  Finely  gilt  blue  porcelain  jar  for  powdered  su- 
gar, called  “ping-fa,”  “crystal  flowers.” 

157  and  15S.  A pair  of  common  flower  stands. 

159  and  160.  A pair  of  hexagonal  light  green  porce- 
lain garden  seats,  with  delicate  white  raised 
sprigs  and  flowers. 

161  and  162.  A pair  of  blue  porcelain  garden  seats 
with  white  raised  figures. 

163.  Beautifully  painted  porcelain  garden  seat,  hex- 
agonal form. 

164  and  165.  A pair  of  blue  porcelain  “tom-tos”  or 
spittoons,  with  raised  white  flowers. 

166  and  167.  A pair  of  handsome  enameled  copper 
spittoons. 

168  and  169.  A pair  of  fine  enameled  candlesticks 
used  as  part  of  the  furniture  of  Budhistic 
Altars. 

170.  A large  and  beautiful  enameled  copper  vase, 

used  to  burn  incense  in  before  the  idols  of 
Budha. 

171,  172,  173  and  174.  Two  pair  of  small  porcelain 

vases. 

175  and  176.  A pair  of  yellow  porcelain  cap  stands, 
with  raised  figures  of  parrots,  &c. 

177  and  178.  A pair  of  antique  six-sided  porcelain 
vases. 

179  and  180.  A pair  of  fine  painted  square  porcelain 
vases. 

181  and  182.  A pair  of  bottle  shaped  porcelain  vases, 
richly  painted. 

183  and  184.  A pair  of  five  necked  green  flower 
vases.  These  are  sometimes  used  by  Chinese 
archers  to  try  their  skill  in  shooting  their  ar- 
rows into  the  different  necks. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XIV. 


119 


Invention  of  Porcelain. 

185.  Handsome  painted  porcelain  flower  vase,  with 
raised  figure  of  a lizard  encircling  the  neck. 
186  and  187.  A pair  of  porcelain  cap  stands,  made 
in  imitation  of  pieces  of  bamboo  tied  together. 

188.  Two  beautiful  enameled  tea  trays. 

189.  Enameled  Jos  Vase  to  hang  on  the  wall  beneath 

the  painting  of  the  idol.  This  is  made  in  the 
form  of  half  an  oo-loo  or  bottle  gourd,  a Chi- 
nese emblem  of  longevity. 

190.  A beautiful  enameled  blue  and  gilt  holy  water 

vase,  used  by  the  Budhists. 

191.  Enameled  tea-pot  with  stationary  handle. 

192.  Small  enameled  flower  vase. 

193.  Three  enameled  plates  of  different  patterns,  and 

one  enameled  tea-tray. 

The  manufacture  of  porcelain  originated  in  China, 
and  commenced  with  the  Tang  dynasty,  A.  I).  630. 
The  first  furnace  on  record  was  in  Keang-se,  the  prov- 
ince where  it  is  now  principally  made.  In  ancient 
times  it  was  called  “imitation  gem  ware.”  For  the 
last  thousand  years  the  government  has  paid  great  at- 
tention to  the  manufacture  of  porcelain,  and  some  of 
the  Emperors  have  given  large  premiums  for  the  best 
specimens.  In  point  of  substance  it  has  never  yet 
been  surpassed,  although  the  advances  made  in  the 
science  of  chemistry,  and  in  the  art  of  painting,  by 
Europeans,  has  enabled  them  to  excel  the  Chinese  in 
the  coloring  and  the  execution  of  the  paintings.  Not- 
withstanding the  perfection  to  which  Europeans  have 
attained  in  the  manufacture  of  China  ware  within  the 
comparatively  few  years  since  its  introduction,  they 
still  purchase  considerable  of  the  Chinese,  and  the 
value  still  keeps  up,  especially  of  the  large  articles,  as 
an  instance  of  which  it  may  be  stated  that  such  jars 
as  the  large  ones  in  this  case,  cost  from  two  to  three 
hundred  dollars  a pair,  in  China,  according  to  the  per- 


120 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


Musical  Instruments. 

fection  of  the  shape  and  the  beauty  of  the  painting, 
when  taken  from  the  furnace.  Some  idea  may  be 
formed  of  the  extent  of  the  manufacture,  when  it  is 
mentioned  that  several  hundred  thousand  workmen 
are  employed,  and  the  fires  of  the  furnaces,  when  seen 
from  a distance  at  night,  are  said  to  resemble  a city 
enveloped  in  flames. 


CASE  XV. 


The  interior  of  this  case  is  filled  with  Chinese  mu- 
sical instruments.  On  the  top  are  several  porcelain 
vases. 

194.  Karri  or  kin,  “the  lute.”  This  is  more  esteemed 

than  any  other  musical  instrument  of  the  Chi- 
nese ; partly  on  account  of  its  antiquity.  A 
native  writer  says  it  is  called  Kam  (to  prohibit) 
because  “ it  restrains  and  checks  evil  passions, 
and  corrects  the  human  heart.”  It  is  made 
from  the  wood  of  the  ivoo-tung  or  Dyandria 
cordifolia,  its  strings  are  of  silk,  and  it  is  said 
to  discourse  most  excellent  music,  but  the 
difficulty  of  playing  upon  it  is  so  great,  that 
“ every  tune  that  a Chinese  learns  costs  him 
the  labor  of  several  months.” 

195.  Hayoong-Kok  or  Wa-Kok.  This  instrument  is 

used  in  Budhist  temples  to  call  the  inmates  to 
their  evening  devotions,  and  also  in  the  army, 
as  the  drum  is  with  us,  to  mark  the  morning 
and  evening  hours. 

196.  Chang.  A smaller  species  of  lute  than  the  Kam. 

It  has  sixteen  strings  and  is  generally  seen  in 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


121 


Musical  Instruments. 


the  hands  of  blind  musicians  who  use  their 
long  finger  nails  or  some  substitute  as  a plec- 
trum. 

197.  Pi-pa.  The  balloon  shaped  guitar.  This  is 

also  made  of  the  ivoo-tung  wood.  The  plain 
upper  surface  is  left  without  varnish,  and  is 
let  into  the  rounded  back.  The  strings  are  of 
silk,  as  were  those  of  the  ancient  lute  used  in 
Europe,  and  the  pi-pa  is  said  by  Mr.  Lay  to 
correspond  exactly  to  the  harp  of  Pythagoras 
in  the  outline.  It  is  one  of  the  common  ac- 
companiments to  the  voice  of  ballad  singers. 

198.  Ut-Kam.  The  full  moon  guitar.  “ This  is 

made  of  the  Swan-clie  wood,  and  has  four 
strings  which  stand  in  pairs  and  are  unisons 
with  each  other.  The  table  is  not  coated  with 
varnish,  lest  it  should  hurt  the  sound.  Our 
violins  never  acquire  their  purest  tones  till 
they  have  lost  the  best  part  of  their  varnish ; 
would  it  not  be  as  well  to  take  a leaf  out  of 
the  Chinaman’s  hook  and  bestow  all  the  or- 
nament upon  the  neck  and  back,  but  leave 
the  sounding-board  untouched.” 

199.  Luk-Koo.  A call  used  by  pedlars  of  cloth,  kc. 

From  morning  till  night  the  clicking  of  the 
Lulc-koo  is  heard  in  the  streets  of  Chinese 
towns,  accompanied  by  cries  of  the  different 
kinds  of  pedlars. 

200.  Sam-een.  Three  stringed  guitar.  “ This  is 

made  of  the  Swan-che  wood,  its  sounds  are 
low  and  dull,  and  it  is  played  as  an  accompa- 
niment to  the  pi-pa.  The  body  is  covered 
with  the  skin  of  the  tan  snake,  of  which  the 
natural  vestment  is  divided  by  cloudy  lines  of 
brown  and  yellow  into  compartments.  The 

jerkin  of  this  snake,  we  see,  helps  to  make 

16 


122 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


Musical  Instruments. 


melody  after  its  decease,  and  its  liver  is  much 
prized  by  the  dealers  in  medicines.” 

201.  Ee-een.  The  two-stringed  fiddle.  The  rebeck 

of  the  Chinese.  Some  Ee-eens  are  made 
merely  of  a stick  of  bamboo  passing  through 
a hollow  cylinder  of  the  same  material,  but 
this  one  is  of  rather  better  construction.  “One 
end  of  the  cylinder  is  covered  with  snake  skin 
and  the  other  is  left  open.  The  bow  is  in  all 
its  original  simplicity,  being  a piece  of  rattan 
or  bamboo,  with  its  ends  drawn  towards  each 
other  by  a small  bundle  of  horse-hair  which 
passes  between  the  strings,  and  it  requires  no 
little  practice  to  keep  them  clear  of  one  while 
being  drawn  over  the  other,  as  they  are  near 
together.  As  it  is  a cheap  instrument,  it  is  in 
the  hands  of  a great  many  learners,  who  fill 
up  the  vacuity  of  their  leisure  moments  by 
grating  the  strings  of  this  scrannel  coagmen- 
tation  of  silk  and  wood.  In  better  hands 
however,  its  notes  though  shrill  and  piercing, 
are  by  no  means  contemptible.  It  will  be 
seen  that  this  instrument  embodies  the  prin- 
ciple of  the  violin,  which  is  comparatively  a 
modern  instrument,  its  great  powers  and  capa- 
bilities being  first  pointed  out  by  Tartini. 
The  Chinese  were  in  possession  of  the  idea 
ages  ago,  ;but  while  the  Italians  labored  to 
give  the  original  draft  every  perfection  it  was 
susceptible  of,  the  Eastern  Asiatics  left  theirs 
to  enjoy  its  primitive  simplicity.” 

202.  Tai-Kam.  The  bass  fiddle.  This  is  very  much 

like  the  ee-een,  except  that  the  drum  is  made 
of  cocoa  nut  shell  instead  of  bamboo,  and  its 
notes  are  gruffer.  These  two  instruments 
are  almost  the  only  ones  among  the  Chinese 
that  are  played  with  a bow. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


123 


Musical  Instruments. 

203.  Taoonv-Kam.  The  wire  strung  harmonicon. 

The  strings  are  beaten  with  small  slips  of 
bamboo,  and  in  skilful  hands  emit  sweet 
music. 

204.  Shap-yam.  An  instrument  made  of  ten  small 

gongs  arranged  in  a frame  shaped  like  a cross. 
This  is  carried  in  marriage  processions  and 
used  as  an  accompaniment  to  other  instru- 
ments. 

205.  Chat-kok.  The  clarion.  This  instrument  is 

made  of  thin  copper,  and  the  upper  part  of 
the  stem  slides  into  the  lower  to  enable  the 
performer  to  modify  the  sounds,  which  are 
very  grave. 

206.  Wang-teh.  The  Chinese  flute.  “ This  is  made 

of  bamboo,  bound  with  silk  between  the  aper- 
tures to  preserve  the  wood  from  cracking,  and 
helps  doubtless  to  sweeten  the  sound.  It  is 
with  this,  as  with  the  guitar  and  lute,  that  the 
Chinese  dame  cheers  and  beguiles  the  lonely 
and  unexciting  hours  of  her  seclusion.” 

207.  Ho-toong.  Trombone  trumpet.  The  sounding 

tube  of  this  instrument  is  capable  of  being 
lengthened  and  shortened  at  the  will  of  the 
performer.  Its  sounds,  like  those  of  our  trom- 
bone, are  not  very  agreeable  alone,  but  form  a 
proper  relief  to  the  shriller  instruments  when 
blown  in  concert. 

208.  Sang.  This  is  a collection  of  tubes  varying  in 

length,  so  as  to  utter  sounds  at  harmonic  in- 
terval from  each  other,  thus  embodying  the 
principle  of  the  organ  stops,  and  with  the 
wind  chest,  into  which  the  tubes  are  inserted, 
forms  the  embryo  of  that  magnificent  instru- 
ment. Very  few  of  the  Chinese  of  the  pres- 
ent day  understand  the  use  of  this  instru- 


124 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


Musical  Instruments. 


ment,  which  was  used  in  ancient  times  in 
the  performance  of  religious  rites. 

209.  Hayoong-lo.  Small  gong  used  with  other  in- 

struments by  bands  of  music  during  marriage 
entertainments. 

210.  Nam-ling.  Small  gong  suspended  in  a metallic 

frame,  used  by  Budhist  priests. 

211  and  212.  Tan-la , and  Tong  Koo , Gongs  used  in 
concert  with  other  instruments. 

The  gong  is  a favorite  instrument  with  the  Chinese. 
The  large  ones  are  heard  in  their  morning  and  eve- 
ning devotions,  they  precede  processions  of  all  kinds, 
and  drown  all  other  noises  in  bands  of  music. 

213  and  214.  Cymbals.  These  add  to  the  din  kept 
up  with  gongs  in  bands  of  music  upon  the 
stage. 

215.  Seaou-Soo-lo.  A small  gong  used  in  concert 

with  other  instruments. 

216.  Tong -koo.  The  concert  drum. 

217.  Luk-koo.  A call  similar  to  199. 

218.  Wai-koo.  “Flat  drum.”  “ This  is  much  used 

by  blind  singers,  who  saunter  through  the 
streets  in  the  night.  These  singers  are  also 
the  tellers  of  old  stories.  Many  of  them  are 
poor  female  children,  early  trained  to  this 
business,  by  which  they  procure  support  for 
their  parents,  sometimes,  as  well  as  for  them- 
selves.” 

219.  Mar-lo.  Beggar’s  gong. 

220  and  221.  Heang-teh.  “ This  possesses  all  the  es- 
sential parts  of  the  clarionet  except  the  finish 
and  the  sweetness  of  its  sound.  It  is  a great 
favorite  among  the  Chinese,  who  are  so 
charmed  with  its  loud  and  deafening  sounds, 
they  make  it  the  principal  on  all  occasions, 
either  of  joy  or  sorrow.  It  is  heard  at  funeral 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


125 


Musical  Instruments. 

processions,  it  takes  a part  at  marriage  enter- 
tainments, and  leads  in  the  musical  compa- 
nies both  at  the  theatre  and  in  the  temple.’’ 

222.  Nam-sing.  Bell  used  by  Bndhist  priests  in 

their  worship.  Among  the  instruments  of 
percussion  used  by  the  Chinese,  the  great 
bell  claims  the  first  place,  as  all  other  instru- 
ments were  tuned  by  this.  It  was  also  used 
in  ancient  times  as  the  standard  of  weight 
and  measure.  The  Chinese  bell  has  no  clap- 
per, but  is  struck  with  a wooden  hammer. 
It  is  seen  in  all  the  principal  temples,  hung 
in  a large  wooden  stand,  and  is  struck  upon 
at  vespers,  and  at  other  times,  when  prayers 
are  offered  up.  The  bell  is  an  eastern  inven- 
tion, and  was  used  many  centuries  before  it 
was  known  in  the  west. 

223.  Puk-eu , “ Divining  fish.”  This  instrument  is 

used  in  the  recitation  of  prayers,  both  private 
and  public,  by  the  Budhistic  priest,  for  the 
purpose  of  marking  time. 

224.  Pin-koo.  The  low  drum.  This  and  the  pong- 

koo  are  used  together  in  a chorus,  the  singers 
beating  them  with  small  bamboo  sticks.  They 
give  out  a peculiar  clinking  sound,  not  gen- 
erally agreeable  to  the  ears  of  others  than 
Chinese,  till  use  and  association,  ingredients 
in  taste,  have  made  it  so. 

225.  Tong-heng.  This  metallic  instrument  is  also 

used  by  the  Bndhist  priests,  to  mark  time 
while  chanting  their  prayers. 

“As  lovers  of  pleasure,  the  Chinese  have  always  had 
great  respect  for  music,  one  of  its  principal  promoters; 
and  for  tones  and  rythm,  the  two  essential  elements 
of  music  and  of  song,  they  manifest  great  fondness. 
‘ Indeed  it  appears  that  the  ancient  sages  of  China 


126 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XV. 


Rules  for  Writing  Music , fyc.  Vases. 

were  not  only  extremely  fond  of  what  they  esteemed 
good  music,  but  that  they  believed  it  to  have  a power- 
ful influence  over  the  morals  of  the  people.  It  is  said 
that  Confucius  was  so  powerfully  struck  with  the 
music  of  the  great  Shun,  that  for  three  months  after 
he  heard  it,  he  knew  not  the  taste  of  his  food.’  Their 
writings  on  the  subject  of  music,  though  hard  to  be 
understood,  are  very  numerous;  and  they  contain 
records  of  the  art,  in  the  earliest  periods  of  their  his- 
tory, accompanied  with  drawings  and  descriptions  of 
their  instruments.  Many  of  the  most  ancient  are  now 
disused,  and  ‘ according  to  their  own  account  their 
music  at  present  is  far  inferior  to  what  it  was  in  the 
golden  ages  of  antiquity.’ 

“ The  rules  for  writing  instrumental  music  among 
the  Chinese  change  somewhat  according  to  the  instru- 
ment employed;  thus  the  lute  requires  a very  differ- 
ent system  of  notation  from  the  guitar;  and  both  from 
the  rebeck.  In  the  notation  adopted  for  the  lute, 

‘ each  note  is  a cluster  of  characters ; one  denotes  the 
string,  another  the  stud,  a third  informs  you  in  what 
manner  the  fingers  of  the  right  hand  are  to  be  used,  a 
fourth  does  the  same  in  reference  to  the  left,  a fifth 
tells  the  performer  in  what  way  he  must  slide  the 
hand  before  or  after  the  appropriate  sound  has  been 
given,  and  a sixth  says,  perhaps,  that  two  notes  are  to 
be  struck  at  the  same  time.’  On  account  of  this 
clumsy  mode  of  notation,  but  few  Chinese  learn  to 
play  the  lute  scientifically.” 

226.  Beautiful  porcelain  vase,  with  the  surface  pur- 

posely cracked  in  burning.  The  Chinese 
affirm  that  the  art  of  making  this  kind  of  ware 
has  been  lost  for  several  hundred  years. 

227.  Light  green  porcelain  vase,  with  raised  white 

figure. 

228.  Very  ancient  surface  cracked  porcelain  vase, 

discolored  by  time. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XVI. 


127 


Paper,  Envelopes,  Cards,  fyc. 


CASE  XVI. 


229.  Large  gilt  figured  envelopes  for  marriage  letters. 

230.  “ “ letter  paper  “ “ 

Exchanged  by  the  parents  of  the  bride  and 
groom  and  sent  accompanied  by  the  marriage 
presents. 

231.  Smaller  gilt  figured  marriage  envelopes. 

232.  “ “ letter  paper  for  same  use  as 

230. 

233.  White  letter  paper,  with  blue  title-page,  for  com- 

munications and  petitions  to  government  offi- 
cers. 

234.  Red  letter  paper,  with  dark  blue  title  page,  for 

communications  between  Mandarins. 

235  and  236.  Figured  red  letter  paper. 

237.  Plain  red  letter  paper. 

238.  Figured  white  letter  paper. 

239  and  240.  Figured  and  plain  mourning  letter 
paper. 

541  and  242.  Figured  and  plain  envelopes  for  letters, 

243.  Mourning  envelopes. 

244,  245,  and  246.  Name  strips  for  envelopes. 

247.  Figured  fancy  colored  note  paper. 

24S  and  249.  Plain  red  and  mourning  cards. 

250.  Small  red  cards. 

251.  Small  red  envelopes  and  name  strips. 

252.  Letter  from  an  officer  in  the  province  of  Honan, 

to  Hr.  Parker,  the  American  medical  mission- 
ary, at  Canton,  stating  his  case  and  soliciting 
his  advice. 

253.  254,  and  255.  Envelope  of  letter  from  Wong 

(2d  Imperial  Commissioner,)  to  Dr.  Parker ; 


128 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XVI. 


Printing , Newspapers,  Cards,  fyc. 

the  letter,  and  copy  of  Keying’s  despatch  to 
the  Emperor,  accompanying  the  treaty  with 
the  United  States. 

256.  Envelope  of  an  official  document  from  the  Im- 

perial Commissioner,  Keying,  to  the  Hon. 
Caleb  Cushing,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from 
the  United  States  to  China. 

257.  Envelope  of  an  official  document  from  the 

Tsoong-to  of  Canton,  to  Paul  S.  Forbes,  Esq., 
American  Consul  at  Canton. 

248.  Facsimile  of  Keying’s  Tartar  signature  as  af- 
fixed to  the  treaty  between  China  and  the 
United  States.  The  first  character  is  the  sig- 
nature, and  the  second  or  lower  one  is  the 
flourish. 

259.  The  Imperial  Commissioner  Keying’s  card. 

260.  The  card  of  Wong-gan-toong  the  second  Com- 

missioner. 

261.  262,  and  263.  The  cards  of  Chow-chan-ling, 

Pwan-sz-shing  or  Pwan-tin-qua,  and  Tung- 
lin,  the  Mandarins  or  high  officers  attached 
to  Keying’s  suite.  It  will  be  noticed  that 
Pwan-tin-qua’s  card  has  a drab  colored  strip 
upon  it,  upon  which  his  name  is  inscribed. 
He  was  still  in  mourning,  at  the  time  this 
card  was  presented,  for  his  mother  who  died 
nearly  a year  before.  The  Chinese  ritual  pre- 
scribes the  time  of  mourning  for  a parent, 
which  is  nine  months  or  thrice  ninety  days, 
during  which  time  government  officers  retire 
from  office. 

264.  Stereotype  block  for  two  pages  of  a Chinese 
book.  All  the  printing  is  done  in  China  with 
such  blocks  as  this.  They  have  no  movable 
types ; but  the  American  missionaries  at  Ma- 
cao and  Hong-Kong  are  printing  books  in 
Chinese  with  movable  types  made  in  France. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XVI. 


129 


Printing , Newspapers , Books,  Sfc. 

26 5.  Seals  for  the  use  of  merchants. 

266.  Handsome  carved  blocks  for  printing  labels. 

267.  Block  for  printing  invitations  to  marriage  en- 

tertainments. 

268.  Stamps  used  by  shopmen. 

269.  Canton  court  circular,  containing  only  the 

movements  of  the  various  government  offi- 
cers. 

270.  Copy  of  the  Peking  Gazette,  issued  at  Canton 

every  other  day.  This  one  contains  dates 
from  Peking,  eighty  days  previous  (Canton  is 
about  as  far  from  Peking  as  New  Orleans  is 
from  New  York.)  There  is  no  freedom  of 
the  press  in  China.  The  newspapers  contain 
only  such  information  as  the  government 
sees  fit  to  have  published  to  suit  its  own  pur- 
poses. 

271.  Different  kinds  of  theme  paper  used  at  the  lit- 

erary examinations  of  candidates  for  the  differ- 
ent degrees  necessary  for  them  to  attain  be- 
fore becoming  eligible  to  office. 

273.  Account  hooks  of  various  sizes. 

274.  White  envelopes  with  red  name  strips. 

275.  Faint  ruled  theme  paper. 

276.  Ruled  account  paper. 

277.  Specimens  of  handsome  characters  made  by  a 

celebrated  Canton  scribe  named  Chung-uk- 
sliung. 

278.  Characters  for  children  to  copy. 

279.  Chinese  Almanac,  for  1844. 

280.  Complaint  of  a poor  Buffalo,  a Budhist  pro- 

duction, arranged  to  resemble  a boy  leading 
one  of  those  animals. 

281.  Divining  book  to  consult  when  throAving  the 

bamboo  slips  used  in  Jos  houses  or  temples 
to  ascertain  the  lucky  days  for  marriages, 
building  houses,  &c. 

17 


130 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XVII. 


Invention  of  Paper  and  Printing. 

282.  Chinese  Arithmetic. 

283  and  284  Ancient  characters  and  their  meaning 
explained. 

285.  Picture  book  used  to  learn  children  the  names 

of  things. 

286.  Directions  for  holding  the  pencil  for  different 

kinds  of  writing.  The  Chinese  are  great  ad- 
mirers of  caligraphy,  and  indeed  one  of  the 
essentials  at  the  literary  examination  is  an  el- 
egantly written  theme. 

The  manufacture  of  paper  and  the  art  of  printing 
both  originated  in  China,  the  former  being  first  made 
by  the  Chinese,  A.  D.  95,  and  the  art  of  manufactur- 
ing is  transmitted  by  the  Arabs  (who  learnt  it  from 
the  Chinese)  into  Spain  about  the  beginning  of  the 
10th  century,  and  the  latter  invention,  which  was  first 
introduced  to  the  notice  of  the  Chinese  government 
about  the  middle  of  the  10th  century,  was  first  brought 
to  notice  in  Europe  in  1440,  and  introduced  into  Eng- 
land in  1470.  Before  the  invention  of  paper,  the  Chi- 
nese wrote  upon  slips  of  flattened  bamboo  which  they 
formed  into  books  by  fastening  them  together  with 
wires. 


CASE  XVII. 

This  case  contains  a beautiful  model  of  a two  story 
summer  house,  as  seen  in  the  southern  provinces  of 
China,  with  small  figures  of  a lady  and  gentleman. 
There  are  also  a number  of  flowers  made  of  rice  pa- 
per and  other  ornaments  for  the  hair  made  of  feathers 
in  imitation  of  flowers,  birds  and  insects.  On  the  top 
of  this  case  are  several  finely  painted  porcelain  vases. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XX. 


131 


Stores  and  Shops. 


CASE  XVIII. 

Contains  a model  of  a silk  store  in  Canton.  Arti- 
ficial flowers  made  of  silk  and  rice  paper,  and  a fan 
made  of  the  feathers  of  the  Argus  Pheasant.  On  the 
top  of  this  case  are  also  several  porcelain  vases. 


CASE  XIX. 

Contains  a model  of  a China  ware  and  curiosity 
shop  in  New  China  street,  Canton,  an  ornamental  fan 
made  of  Peacock’s  feathers,  and  one  made  of  the 
feathers  of  the  Argus  Pheasant.  There  are  two  pair 
of  elegant  five  necked  porcelain  flower  vases,  and  a 
pair  of  beautifully  painted  single  necked  ditto,  on  the 
top  of  this  case. 

Chinese  stores,  like  the  houses,  are  ordinarily  but 
one  story  high,  but  some  of  the  handsomest  are  two 
stories.  Nearly  all  are  destitute  of  yards,  and  have 
only  a platform  upon  the  roof  where  the  fuel  is  kept 
for  cooking,  which  is  done  in  the  attic.  In  the  cities 
the  ground,  in  business  localities,  is  covered  with 
stores,  and  they  are  universally  lighted  by  sky-lights 
in  the  roof,  as  seen  in  the  models  here  exhibited. 


CASE  XX. 

The  upper  part  of  this  case  contains  plates  of  vari- 
ous patterns  made  of  brass  enameled. 

287.  Enameled  cup  with  cover. 


132 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XX. 


Enameled  Ware. 


288,  289.  Small  enameled  hand  spittoons  used  in  bed, 
and  carried  by  the  attendants  of  gentlemen 
for  the  use  of  their  masters. 

290.  Enameled  cream  cup,  an  article  made  for  ex- 

port, as  the  Chinese  do  not  use  cream  or  milk 
as  a beverage. 

291.  Enameled  stand  for  writing  pencils  and  dust 

brush,  a part  of  a gentleman’s  writing  appa- 
ratus. 

292.  Curious  enameled  fruit  shaped  tea  pot.  The 

tea  is  put  in  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel,  it 
having  no  opening  at  the  top  to  admit  the 
escape  of  the  aroma  of  the  tea. 

293.  Sweetmeat  box  made  of  enameled  ware. 

294.  Vessel  for  hot  Sam-shou,  the  liquor  distilled  from 

rice  by  the  Chinese. 

295.  Enameled  plate  used  in  making  offerings  of 

fruits  and  cakes  before  idols. 

296.  Elegant  enameled  vessel  for  holding  Sam-shou, 

also  called  Su-hing  hot  wine,  used  at  enter- 
tainments. 

297  to  299.  Covered  enameled  tea  cups. 

300.  Enameled  milk  cup. 

301.  Enameled  plate  for  same  use  as  295. 

302  to  304.  Set  of  small  enameled  incense  vessels 
used  upon  family  altars. 

305.  Beautiful  small  enameled  bowl  for  holy  water, 

used  by  Budhists. 

306.  Enameled  sugar  bowl. 

307.  Small  enameled  catty  for  line  tea. 

308.  309.  Small  hand  spittoons. 

310.  Same  as  307. 

311  to  315.  Enameled  plates  of  the  ordinary  size 
used  at  table  by  the  Chinese  to  contain  the 
relishes  of  pork,  fish,  &c.,  eaten  with  their 
rice.  Each  person  is  furnished  with  a bowl 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XX. 


1 33 


Enameled  Ware. 


for  rice,  and  with  his  chopsticks  takes  from 
time  to  time  some  of  the  contents  of  the 
plates  which  are  used  in  common. 

316.  Small  enameled  sugar  bowl. 

317.  Small  enameled  saucer  of  a peculiar  and  an- 

cient form  which  the  Chinese  consider  lucky. 
318  to  321.  Enameled  plates  of  various  patterns. 

322  to  324.  Enameled  saucers  of  various  patterns. 
325,  326.  Similar  to  317. 

327.  Similar  to  324. 

328  to  330.  Enameled  tobacco  boxes.  Tobacco  is 
only  used  by  the  Chinese  for  smoking  and 
snufljng. 

331.  Enameled  pencil  stand  with  water  vessel  at- 

tached to  it  for  mixing  India  ink. 

332,  333.  Enameled  pencil  rack  and  stand. 

334.  Enameled  rice  bowl 

335,  336.  Boxes  made  of  enameled  ware  for  betel 

nut,  tobacco,  &c. 

337,  338.  Enameled  tea  cups  and  saucers. 

339.  Small  rice  bowl  curiously  enameled. 

340  to  342.  Enameled  tea  cups  and  saucers. 

343,  344.  Beautiful  blue  and  gold  enameled  boxes 
for  tobacco. 

245.  Enameled  cup  for  drinking  Sam-shou. 

346,  to  351.  Beautifully  painted  porcelain  tea  cups 
with  metallic  saucers  and  covers  to  prevent 
the  escape  of  the  aroma  of  the  tea. 

352.  Mended  cup  and  saucer  exhibiting  the  Chinese 

method  of  repairing  porcelain,  glass,  &c. 

353.  A set  of  enameled  sweetmeat  dishes  made  to 

fit  a circular  tray. 

354  to  357.  Enameled  cups  and  saucers  of  small 
dimensions  for  drinking  hot  Sam-shou  and 
very  fine  tea. 

358,  359.  Enameled  saucers  of  peculiar  forms. 


134 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XX. 


Enameled , Porcelain  and  Metallic  Vessels,  fyc. 

360.  Enameled  Chinese  spoon. 

361,  362.  A pair  of  elegant  porcelain  arm  supports 

used  on  large  settees. 

363.  Porcelain  rice  bowl  within  a porcelain  hot  water 

vessel. 

364.  A set  of  porcelain  medicine  boxes. 

365.  Ancient  incense  vessel  in  the  form  of  a Unicorn 

on  a stand.  The  incense  is  placed  in  the  in- 
terior and  the  fames  exhale  from  the  mouth. 

366.  Grotesque  Chinaware  image  used  as  a pillow 

367.  371.  Elegant  metallic  vessels  for  containing 

Sam-shou  used  at  feasts  and  universally  drank 
hot.  t 

368  to  370.  Curiously  shaped  metallic  cups  for  drink- 
ing Sam-shou. 

369.  Metallic  lamp  stand. 

372.  Same  as  366. 

373.  Same  as  365. 

374.  375.  Two  elegant  porcelain  tea  trays. 

376,  377.  A pair  of  small  porcelain  flower  stands. 
378,  379.  Straight  jars,  made  of  porcelain,  for  hold- 
ing writing  pencils. 

380,  381.  A pair  of  beautiful  flower  vases  of  small 
size. 

382,  383.  Curious  formed  and  painted  porcelain 
vases. 

384,  385.  A pair  of  handsomely  painted  flower  vases. 
386,  387.  A pair  of  superb  porcelain  flower  jars,  in 
which  the  leaves  of  flowers  are  placed,  the 
perfume  escaping  through  the  perforations  in 
the  covers. 

388.  Porcelain  image  of  the  Budhist  goddess  Shing- 
Mo,  “ Holy  Mother,”  with  a child  in  her  arms 
holding  a sceptre.  The  attributes  of  this  hea- 
then goddess  strongly  resembles  those  of  the 
Virgin  Mary. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XX. 


135 


Porcelain  and  Earthern  Ware. 


389,  390.  Tea  pot  and  Sam-Shou  vessels  made  of  blue 
stone  ware. 

391.  Beautiful  painted  porcelain  sugar  bowl. 

392,  393.  Porcelain  tea  and  Sam-Shou  vessels. 

394  to  396.  Set  of  small  porcelain  incense  vessels. 
397.  Porcelain  vessel,  the  upper  part  of  which  is  used 

for  medicine,  and  the  lower  as  a spittoon. 

398  to  401.  Porcelain  tea  pots  of  different  construc- 
tions. 

402.  Small  unglazed  procelain  vessel  for  the  prepa- 

ration of  ginseng. 

403.  Wooden  case  for  tea  vessel  used  in  stores  and 

houses  to  keep  tea  warm. 

404.  Stone  ware  sweetmeat  jar. 

405.  Small  tea  pot  made  of  red  glazed  porcelain. 

406.  Common  hand  furnace  made  of  an  earthen 

vessel,  to  contain  the  coals,  fitted  into  a bam- 
boo basket,  used  by  the  poorer  classes  in  cold 
weather. 

In  the  north  of  China  houses  are  heat  by  flues  pas- 
sing under  the  tile  floors,  and  couches  made  of  brick 
are  heated  in  a similar  manner,  but  at  the  south  fires 
are  only  used  for  cooking,  the  body  being  kept  warm, 
by  putting  on  additional  clothing  as  cold  weather, 
which  is  not  very  severe  or  of  long  continuance,  ap- 
proaches. At  Canton  the  mercury  seldom  falls  below 
the  freezing  point,  and  it  has  snowed  but  once  at  that 
place  in  a great  many  years. 

407.  408.  Fanciful  shaped  vessel  for  holding  water 

used  to  grind  ink  used  for  writing. 

409.  Tea  pot  made  of  common  ware  in  the  shape  of 

a melon. 

410.  Blocks  made  of  the  root  of  the  bamboo;  used 

in  temples  to  ascertain  whether  the  prayers  of 
suppliants  will  be  answered  favorably  or  not. 
The  petitioner  kneeling  before  the  altar  drops 


136 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XX. 


Origin  of  the  Chinese. 

the  blocks  upon  the  pavement,  if  one  falls 
with  the  round  side  up  and  the  other  the  flat, 
it  is  considered  favorable,  but  if  otherwise, 
the  reverse. 

411.  Handsome  case  containing  a tea  vessel  above 

and  a stone  ware  receptacle  for  coals  below. 
Every  store  and  house  is  furnished  with 
something  of  this  kind  for  the  use  of  the  in- 
mates and  visitors.  The  Chinese  warm  all 
their  drinks,  considering  cold  ones  unhealthy. 

412.  Curious  tea  pot  made  of  common  ware  in  the 

form  of  a pomegranate. 

413.  An  image  of  one  of  the  Budhist  deities  holding 

aloft  the  mystical  diagram  made  by  the  ancient 
Emperor  Fuhi,  used  to  protect  houses  from 
evil  influences.  The  Emperor  Fuhi  or  Fohy 
is  considered  by  some  Chinese  historians  as 
the  founder  of  the  Empire.  Before  he  ap- 
peared they  say  men  differed  not  from  brutes, 
but  he  civilized  them,  and  after  making  the 
eight  mystical  diagrams,  of  which  the  Chi- 
nese write  and  talk  much  but  know  little,  he 
proceeded  to  invent  the  written  character. 
The  commencement  of  his  reign  is  placed 
2852  B.  C.,  and  it  is  in  the  province  of  Honan 
where  he  built  his  capital  that  the  Chinese 
fix  the  site  of  that  first  settlement  from  whence 
have  sprung  all  the  successive  dynasties  and 
all  the  countless  multitudes  of  the  black 
haired  people,  which  during  a period  of  forty- 
seven  centuries,  have  ruled  and  cultivated 
the  hills  and  vallies  of  the  celestial  Empire. 

414.  Porcelain  medicine  jar. 

415.  Small  tea  pot  of  curious  construction,  for  mak- 

ing a cup  of  tea  expeditiously  by  placing  a 
lamp  underneath. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXII. 


137 


Canal  Boat. 

416.  Common  ware  tea  vessel  for  the  use  of  stores 
and  houses. 

On  the  top  of  this  case  are  eight  elegant  porcelain 
jars  of  various  patterns. 


CASE  XXI. 


Contains  a model  of  a canal  boat,  such  as  the  tea 
is  brought  to  Canton  in  ; some  artificial  fruits,  head  or- 
naments made  of  feathers,  and  two  fans  so  made  that 
when  opened  in  one  direction  are  whole,  but  if  open- 
ed the  other  appear  broken.  A large  number  of  these 
canal  boats  are  always  to  be  seen  in  the  Canton 
waters.  They  are  excellent  cargo  boats,  and  pecu- 
liarly adapted  to  the  shallow  inland  waters  and  canals, 
where  they  are  pushed  along  by  the  men  with  bam- 
boo poles,  or  tracked  with  ropes.  They  have  peculiar 
masts,  which  can  be  taken  down  and  put  up  with 
facility,  which  enables  them  to  take  advantage  of  the 
winds  in  large  streams.  The  top  of  this  case  is  cover- 
ed with  porcelain  vases. 


CASE  XXII. 

Contains  a model  of  a Nanking  junk,  and  a num- 
ber of  specimens  of  artificial  fruits. 

The  hulls  of  all  junks  are  shaped  very  much  like  a 
Chinese  shoe,  but  they  differ  considerably  in  their  up- 
per works  and  embellishments.  The  Nanking  junks 
18 


138 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXII. 


Junks. 

are  perhaps  the  handsomest.  “The  model  from  which 
a junk  was  first  derived,  is  said  by  the  Chinese  to 
have  been  a monstrous  fish ; the  fancied  resemblance 
is  kept  up  in  the  eyes,  the  mouth  and  teeth,  painted 
on  the  bow,  a frisking  tail  in  the  high  stern,  &c.” 
Like  all  other  Chinese  vessels  the  junks  are  without 
keels,  and  draw  very  little  water,  on  which  account 
they  fall  to  leeward  in  head  winds,  and  are  obliged,  in 
their  trading  voyages,  to  take  advantage  of  the  mon- 
soons or  periodical  winds  which,  on  the  coast  of 
China,  blow  steadily  for  several  months  in  one  direc- 
tion, and  then  change  and  blow  in  an  opposite  one. 
The  art  of  navigation  appears  to  have  been  on  the 
decline  in  China  for  several  centuries,  as  it  is  well 
known  that  the  Chinese  once  navigated  as  far  as 
India,  while  at  present  their  most  distant  voyages  ex- 
tend no  farther  than  Java,  and  the  Malay  islands  to 
the  south.  They  have  no  instruments  for  calculating 
the  latitude  or  longitude,  but  are  guided  by  the  com- 
pass between  the  prominent  headlands ; of  which  to- 
gether with  the  harbors,  currents  and  shoals  on  the 
coast,  they  possess  tolerably  accurate  directories.  The 
sails  of  all  Chinese  vessels  are  made  of  mats,  the  ropes 
and  cables  of  split  rattans  and  coir,  or  the  husk  of  the 
cocoa  nut,  and  the  anchors  of  a heavy  hard  wood 
called  by  the  Chinese  teih-mo,  “iron  wood.”  The  ac- 
count which  Mr.  Gutzlaff  gives  of  the  manning  and 
discipline  of  the  trading  junks,  in  which  he  made 
several  voyages,  explains,  in  part,  the  loss  of  so  many 
at  sea.  “ Besides  the  principal  owner  of  the  cargo,  or 
agent  for  those  who  own  it,  there  is  the  captain  or 
pilot.  He  sits  constantly  on  the  weather  side  of  the 
vessel,  observing  the  shores  and  promontories  as  they 
are  approached,  and  from  habit  seldom  lies  down  to 
sleep.  Though  he  has  the  nominal  command  over 
the  sailors,  who  are  the  offscourings  of  the  Chinese 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XXIII. 


139 


Mandarin  Boats. 


population,  they  obey  him  or  not,  according  to  their 
pleasure,  and  sometimes  scold  or  brave  him  like  one 
of  their  own  number.  Next  to  the  pilot  is  the  helms- 
man, who  manages  the  steering  and  sails.  Besides 
clerks  for  the  cargo,  there  is  a purchaser  of  provisions, 
and  another  whose  express  business  it  is  to  attend  to 
the  offerings  to  the  gods  and  goddesses.  The  crew 
consists  of  two  classes:  the  able  seamen,  who  are 
called  Tow-mo , “heads  and  eyes,”  and  the  ordinary 
seamen  called  Fokins  “ comrades.”  Every  one  is  a 
shareholder,  with  the  privilege  of  putting  a certain 
quantity  of  goods  on  board.  The  principal  object  of 
all  is  trade,  and  the  working  of  the  junks  would  seem 
to  be  a subordinate  point.  The  crew  exercise  full 
control  over  the  vessel,  and  oppose  every  measure 
which  they  deem  injurious  to  their  own  interest;  so 
that  the  captain  and  pilot  are  often  obliged  to  submit 
to  them.  In  time  of  danger  the  men  often  lose  all 
courage ; and  their  indecision,  with  the  confusion 
which  attend  the  absence  of  discipline,  not  unfre- 
quently  proves  the  destruction  of  the  junk.” 

On  the  top  of  this  case  are  several  porcelain  vases 
and  two  China  ware  fountains,  sometimes  used  as 
flower  pots,  made  to  represent  rocky  hill  sides,  with 
castles,  temples,  &c. 


CASE  XXIII, 

Contains  a model  of  a Mandarin  boat  or  revenue 
cutter. 

The  Mandarin  boats,  called  by  the  Chinese  “ fast 
crabs,”  and  “ scrambling  dragons,”  are  intended  by 
the  government  for  the  suppression  of  opium  smug- 


140 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXIV. 


Embroidered  Articles. 


gling  on  the  rivers,  but  are  said  to  be  oftener  used  for 
smuggling,  or  for  collecting  from  smugglers  a certain 
amount  for  every  chest  of  opium  they  are  allowed  to 
run  in,  which  amount  goes  into  the  pockets  of  the 
Mandarins  having  them  in  charge. 

The  top  of  this  case  is  covered  with  porcelain  vases 
and  China  ware  fountains  similar  to  those  on  the  pre- 
vious case. 


CASE  XII Y. 


417.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  pockets  worn  at  the 

waist  in  front  under  the  upper  garment. 

418.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  pockets  for  keys. 

419.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  double  pockets  for 

betel  nut,  &c. 

420.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  watch  pockets. 

Those  who  can  afford  it  usually  carry  two  watches, 

one  on  each  side.  A Chinese  being  asked  the  reason 
answered  “ S' pose  one  catchy  litty  sick  inside , other  can 
ivalky .” 

421.  Embroidered  head  bands  for  ladies. 

422.  Stamped  leather  spectacle  cases. 

423.  Embroidered  cases  for  spectacles. 

424.  Large  embroidered  pocket. 

425.  Waist  ornaments  worn  by  gentlemen. 

426.  Embroidered  sashes  for  ladies. 

427.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  woolen  cap  worn  in 

cold  weather. 

428.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  tobacco  pouches,  sus- 

pended at  the  waist. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXIV. 


141 


Embroidered  Articles. 


429.  Ornamental  embroidered  scent  bags  carried  by 

gentlemen  at  the  waist. 

430.  Silk  bandage  for  small  feet. 

431.  Embroidered  fan  cases.  These  articles  form  a 

part  of  the  waist  ornaments  worn  by  gentle- 
men who  all  carry  fans. 

432.  Embroidered  scarlet  worsted  pockets. 

433.  Silk  crape  breast  pieces  worn  in  cold  weather. 

434.  Embroidered  knee  pans  padded  with  cotton 

and  worn  in  water. 

435.  Embroidered  knee  pans  for  summer  wear. 

436.  Black  silk  handkerchief  with  white  figure  ; car- 

ried by  bridegrooms. 

437.  Printed  crape  door  cover. 

438.  Child’s  head  dress. 

439.  Budhist  canonical  head  dress  with  embroidered 

images  of  the  “ precious  Budhas  ” sitting  on 
the  flowers  of  the  lotus  or  sacred  water  lily. 

440.  Silk  garters  worn  by  gentlemen. 

441.  442.  Chinese  stockings. 

443.  Cap  worn  by  Budhist  priests  on  festival  days. 

444.  Ordinary  cap  worn  by  Budhist  priests. 

445  to  447.  Children’s  embroidered  caps. 

448.  Different  kinds  of  caps  worn  by  gentlemen  in 

winter. 

449.  Gentlemen’  summer  caps  made  of  horse  hair. 

450.  Boy’s  caps. 

451.  Mourning  caps. 

452.  Felt  caps. 

453.  Velvet  collars  worn  in  winter  by  gentlemen. 


142 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXV. 


Carved  Articles , <Sre. 


CASE  XXV. 


453.  Image  of  a Chinese  sage,  carved  from  a root  of 

the  bamboo. 

454.  Beautiful  carved  king  wood  cap  stand. 

455.  Large  and  elegant  bronze  incense  vase  with 

carved  wood  cover  and  stand. 

456.  Budhist  idol  carved  from  the  root  of  the  bam- 

boo. 

457.  Beautiful  carved  wood  stand  and  tree  with 

bronze  images  of  an  old  man,  a stork  and  a 
deer,  emblematic  of  long  life  and  happiness. 

458.  Figure  of  an  elephant  and  his  master  hand- 

somely carved  from  a bamboo  root. 

459.  Fine  red  lacquered  incense  vessel  in  the  form 

of  an  Oo-loo  or  bottle  gourd  which  is  consid- 
ered by  the  Chinese  an  emblem  of  longevity. 

460.  Similar  to  454. 

461.  Figure  of  a Chinese  sage  riding  on  a deer, 

carved  from  a bamboo  root. 

462.  Magic  mirror  or  carved  stand.  Some  of  these 

mirrors  possess  the  curious  property  of  re- 
flecting an  image  on  a wall,  of  the  raised  fig- 
ures on  the  back  from  the  surface.  The  body 
of  the  mirror  and  the  figures  are  supposed  to 
be  made  of  metals  of  different  reflective  pow- 
ers, and  the  figures  to  extend  through  the 
mirror  to  the  face,  which  being  polished,  ren- 
ders their  outlines  invisible  to  the  eye. 

463.  Budhist  idol,  with  Joo-ee  or  sceptre  in  his  hand, 

riding  upon  a buffalo.  Carved  from  a bam- 
boo root. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM-CASE  XXV. 


143 


Carved  Articles , fyc. 

464.  Bronze  image  of  Budha. 

365.  Parrot  carved  from  the  root  of  the  bamboo. 

466.  Vine  pattern  stand  elaborated  carved  out  of 

king  wood. 

467.  Beautiful  leaf  pattern  bronze  holy  water  vase 

on  a finely  carved  stand. 

468.  Elegantly  carved  cup  made  from  the  horn  of 

the  rhinoceros,  on  a carved  king  wood  stand. 
These  cups  were  sent  to  government  officers 
in  ancient  times  by  the  Emperors,  as  marks  of 
displeasure  to  be  followed  by  removal  from 
office. 

469.  Bronze  elephant  and  figure. 

470.  Triple  ornamental  carved  wood  stand  with  va- 

riegated marble  tops. 

471.  Representation  of  a hill  with  temples,  devotees, 

&c.,  elaborately  carved  from  a bamboo  root. 

472.  Temples  and  figures  carved  in  bamboo. 

473.  Image  of  a Budhist  Jos  or  God,  beautifully 

carved  in  a fine  yellow  wood  resembling 
English  box. 

474.  Elegant  bronze  vase  of  small  size,  on  stand. 

475.  Double  ornamental  stand  with  marble  tops. 

476.  Grotesque  image  carved  from  a bamboo  root. 

477.  Bronze  incense  vessel  in  the  form  of  a duck  on 

a handsome  carved  stand.  The  incense  is 
placed  within  the  body,  the  smoke  escaping 
through  the  mouth. 

478.  Bronze  image  of  Kuan-yim,  the  goddess  of  mer- 

cy, on  carved  stand. 

479.  Double  marble  top  stand,  similar  to  475. 

480.  Temple  and  figures  carved  from  a bamboo 

root. 

481.  482.  Machine  toys  made  at  Nanking. 

483.  Chinese  compass.  The  polarity  of  the  needle 
was  probably  discovered  in  China  as  it  is  ex- 


144 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXV. 


Carved  Articles,  fyc. 

plicitly  noticed  in  a Chinese  dictionary,  fin- 
ished A.  D.  121,  and  previous  to  419,  it  was 
used  by  them  to  guide  ships. 

484.  Similar  to  481  and  482. 

485.  Large  Chinese  compass. 

486.  Carved  stone  Jos  or  idol. 

487.  Small  tea-pot  made  of  a brown  ware,  much 

esteemed  by  the  Chinese,  and  beautifully 
painted  in  enamel. 

488.  Sword  made  of  ancient  Chinese  coin,  supposed 

by  that  superstitious  people  to  be  very  effica- 
cious in  keeping  away  ghosts  and  generally 
suspended  at  the  head  of  their  couches  for 
that  purpose. 

489.  Tea-pot  similar  to  487. 

490.  Lacquered  letter  box. 

491.  Compass  and  sun  dial. 

492.  Tea-pot  made  of  fine  brown  ware. 

493.  Model  of  a two  storied  pagoda  carved  out  of 

stone. 

494.  Small  brown  earthen  ware  tea-pot. 

495.  Compass  and  perpetual  almanac. 

496.  Nanking  machine  toy. 

497.  Small  clay  toy  images  from  Nanking. 

498.  Small  carved  stone  image. 

499.  Toy  buffalo  made  of  clay. 

500.  Tea-cups  finely  carved  from  cocoa-nut  wood 

and  lined  with  metal. 

501.  Handsome  small  brown  ware  tea-pot. 

502.  Small  grotesque  image  carved  out  of  stone. 

503.  Beautiful  carved  stone  image. 

504.  Small  hexagonal  stand  carved  out  of  king  wood. 

505.  507,  509.  Nanking  machine  toys  of  different 

construction.  These  toys  contain  machinery 
inside,  and  when  wound  up  possess  the  power 
of  locomotion  for  a short  time. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XXV. 


145 


Carved  Articles , fyc. 

506.  Small  lacquered  tobacco-box. 

508.  Large  brown  ware  tea-pot  handsomely  painted. 

510.  Chopsticks  and  knife  in  a shark  skin  case. 

Worn  by  gentlemen  suspended  at  the  girdle 
and  used  to  eat  with. 

511.  Elaborately  carved  ivory  fan. 

512.  Beautifully  engraved  tortoise  shell  paper  cutter. 

513.  514.  Ivory  puzzles  of  different  construction. 

515.  Small  Chinese  compass. 

516.  Grotesque  carved  ivory  letter  stamp. 

517.  Ink  stone  box  with  the  cover  ornamented  with 

a vine  and  flowers  made  of  pearl  in  relief. 

518.  Superbly  carved  sandal  wood  letter  rack. 

519.  Chopsticks  and  knife  in  a tortoise  shell  case. 

520.  Chastely  ornamented  feather  fan  with  ivory 

frame. 

521.  523.  Handsomely  carved  ivory  paper  cutters. 

522.  Engraved  tortoise  shell  segar  case. 

524.  Silver  basket  with  gold  and  enameled  orna- 

ments. A most  elegant  specimen  of  Chinese 
fillagree  work. 

525.  Carved  sandal  wood  case  containing  a pair  of 

chopsticks,  knife  and  toothpick. 

526.  Handsome  lacquered  card  case. 

527.  Curious  tea-pot  made  of  metal  and  lined  with 

earthen  ware,  the  handle  and  end  of  the  spout 
being  made  of  jade  stone. 

528.  Carved  ivory  counter  box. 

529.  Stone  pencil  holder. 

530.  Carved  cocoa  nut  wood  tea-cups,  with  metallic 

linings. 

531.  Carved  pearl  card  case. 

532.  Round  carved  ivory  counter  box. 

533.  Handsome  carved  ivory  puzzle  and  box. 

534.  Large  ivory  basket,  most  exquisitely  carved. 

535.  Belt  clasp  used  by  government  officers, 

19 


146 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXV. 


Carved  Articles,  fyc. 

536.  Carved  stone  pencil  stand. 

537.  Hexagonal  carved  king  wood  stand  of  small 

size. 

538.  Engraved  tortoise  shell  covered  book  containing 

small  figures  of  Chinese,  made  of  silk  with 
painted  ivory  faces. 

539.  Gilt  silver  arm  ring  worn  by  Chinese  ladies. 

540.  Small  handsomely  carved  stand,  made  of  king 

wood. 

541.  Ivory  puzzle. 

542.  Neatly  carved  ivory  letter  stamp. 

543.  Pearl  letter  stamp. 

544.  Splendidly  carved  ivory  card  case. 

545.  Finely  carved  gentlemen’s  waist  ornament  made 

of  Yu  or  Jade,  a stone  highly  prized  by  the 
Chinese  and  very  costly. 

54  6*  Silver  arm  ring  or  bracelet. 

547.  An  elegant  carved  tortoise  shell  card  case. 

548.  552,  A pair  of  small  handsome  king  wood 

stands. 

549.  Snuff  bottle. 

550.  553.  Small  lacquered  tobacco  boxes. 

551.  Thumb  ring  worn  by  archers. 

554.  Beautiful  ivory  model  of  a flower  boat,  with 
figures,  furniture,  &c.  complete. 

555.  Curious  ivory  letter  stamp. 

556.  Elegant  carved  ivory  frame  with  a figure  of  a 

lady,  reclining  on  a couch  carved  in  ivory  and 
painted  on  one  side,  and  a looking  glass  on 
the  other. 

557.  Book  containing  diagrams  of  puzzles. 

558.  Small  mirror  with  back  handsomely  carved  in 

ivory  and  painted. 

559.  Large  and  finely  carved  ivory  ball,  containing 

sixteen  other  balls  inside,  curiously  carved 
out  of  a solid  piece  of  ivory. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XXV. 


147 


Carved  Articles,  SfC. 

560.  Very  finely  carved  ivory  case  for  a snuff  bottle. 

561,  562.  Small  carved  ivory  balls. 

563.  Toy  buffalo,  made  of  clay,  with  bay  on  his  back 

flying  a kite. 

564.  Grotesque  carved  ivory  letter  stamp. 

565.  Waist  ornament  worn  by  gentlemen. 

566.  Small  Sam-shou  cups  made  of  cocoa  nut  wood, 

lined  with  metal. 

567.  Small  gilt  porcelain  tea-pot. 

568.  Ivory  letter  stamp,  with  ball  handle,  containing 

several  concentric  spheres  within. 

569.  Small  Nanking  clay  toys. 

570.  Snuff  bottle. 

571.  Carved  cocoa  nut  wood  tea  cups. 

572.  Small  brown  ware  tea-pot. 

573.  Very  small  clay  toys  made  at  Nanking. 

574.  Carved  bone  fan. 

575.  Grotesque  carved  stone  paper  weight. 

576.  Small  magic  mirror  on  carved  stand. 

577.  Chinese  spy  glass,  of  little  or  no  use,  as  they 

are  not  possessed  of  science  enough  to  make 
a good  instrument  of  this  kind. 

578.  Chinese  compass. 

579.  Curious  puzzle  made  of  a number  of  silk  strings 

and  ivory  cross  bars.  The  bars  will  slide  up 
and  down  but  the  number  of  strings  between 
the  different  pairs  varies. 

580.  Small  pocket  compass. 

5S1,  583.  Brown  earthen  ware  tea-pots. 

582.  Curiously  carved  stone  paper  weights. 

584.  Elegant  carved  sandal  wood  card  stand  support- 

ed by  a grotesque  figure  of  a frog. 

585.  Small  carved  stand  of  handsome  shape. 

586.  Beautiful  Japanese  carved  lacquered  box. 

587.  Lacquered  letter  case. 

588.  Small  curious  shaped  brown  ware  tea-pot. 


148 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXVI. 


Porcelain  Painting. 

589.  Water  vessels,  part  of  a Chinese  writing  appa- 

ratus. 

590.  Small  fancy  lacquered  box  for  betel  nut,  tobac- 

co, &cc. 

591.  An  elegant  Joo-ee  or  sceptre,  which  according 

to  Davis  is,  in  fact,  an  emblem  of  amity  and 
good  will.  It  is  called  Joo-ee , “as  you  wish,’’ 
and  is  exchanged  as  a costly  mark  of  friend- 
ship ; but  that  it  had  a religious  origin  seems 
indicated  by  the  sacred  flower  of  the  lotus 
being  generally  carved  on  the  superior  end. 

592.  594.  Mandarins’  belt  clasps. 

593.  King  wood  ornamental  stand,  in  the  form  of  a 

flower. 

595.  Carved  ivory  letter  stamp. 

596.  Ornamental  stand  made  of  king  wood. 

597.  Small  fancy  lacquered  box. 

598.  Small  yellow  earthen  ware  tea-pot. 

599.  600.  Metallic  framed  compasses  and  sundials. 

601.  Small  double  carved  king  wood  stand. 

In  carving  small  articles  out  of  ivory,  tortoise  shell, 
sandal  and  other  woods,  stone  and  bamboo,  the  Chi- 
nese certainly  do  excel  any  other  nation,  and  if  visitors 
closely  examine  the  articles  in  this  case  they  will 
readily  perceive  that  the  patient  labor  bestowed  upon 
some  of  them  must  have  been  immense. 


CASE  XXVI. 

602.  Chinese  compass. 

603.  Porcelain  flower  vessel  in  the  form  of  an  ele- 

phant. 

604.  Chinese  combs  of  various  patterns. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXVI. 


149 


Spectacles,  fyc.  Articles  of  Porcelain,  fyc. 

605  to  607.  Three  covered  cups  showing  the  process 
of  painting  Porcelain.  The  first  has  the  out- 
line drawn  in  India  ink,  the  second  has  the 
colors  put  on,  and  the  third  is  finished,  the 
colors  being  burned  in. 

608.  A set  of  chopsticks. 

609.  Spectacles  of  different  kinds,  made  of  crystal. 

These  are  sometimes  fastened  on  by  loops 
passing  over  the  ears  and  sometimes  with 
strings  with  little  weights  at  the  ends.  The 
large  round  eye  gives  the  wearer  a peculiarly 
sapient  appearance. 

610.  Small  books  containing  the  prayers  recited  by 

the  Budhist  priests,  and  sold  by  them  as  amu- 
lets to  be  carried  about  the  person. 

611.  An  Oo-loo  or  bottle  gourd,  considered  an  em- 

blem of  longevity. 

612.  Tray  and  set  of  porcelain  writing  implements. 

613.  Dried  skin  of  the  porcupine  fish,  used  by  the 

Chinese  as  lanterns. 

614.  Red  porcelain  medicine  box. 

615.  Joo-ee  or  sceptre,  similar  to  the  one  in  case 

XXV.  The  ornamental  parts  are  carved  out 
of  jade  and  other  precious  stones. 

616.  Beautiful  lacquered  paint  box,  with  colors,  &c. 

complete. 

617.  Large  and  beautifully  painted  porcelain  punch 

bowl. 

618.  Elegant  covered  porcelain  conjee  or  rice  bowl. 

619.  Arm  rings,  belt  clasps,  hair  pin  and  ear  rings. 

620.  Beautifully  painted  fancy  shaped  porcelain  fruit 

dish. 

621.  Porcelain  rice  bowl  and  hot  water  vessel. 

622.  623.  Fine  painted  fancy  shaped  porcelain  fruit 

dishes. 


150 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXVII. 


Articles  of  Porcelain,  fyc.  Flower  Boats .’ 

624,  625.  Two  large  and  finely  painted  porcelain 
plates  on  stands. 

626.  Different  sized  compasses. 

627  to  629.  Three  elegantly  painted  porcelain  dishes 
of  fancy  shapes. 

630.  Fine  porcelain  sweetmeat  vessels  in  the  form 

of  a puzzle.  Within  the  different  ones  are 
paintings  of  birds  and  flowers  upon  the  pre- 
pared leaves  of  the  Ficus  religiosa  or  Banyan 
tree. 

631.  Copper  hand  furnace  used  by  gentlemen  in 

cold  weather. 

632.  Compasses  used  on  board  of  junks  and  other 

large  Chinese  vessels. 

633.  Large  compass  of  different  construction. 

634.  A beautiful  and  costly  carved  red  lacquered 

Japanese  present  box  presented  by  Pwan-tin- 
qua,  one  of  Keying’s  suite. 

635.  A number  of  snuff  bottles  of  different  patterns 
. and  made  of  different  materials.  The  snuff 

is  taken  out  with  a little  spoon  attached  to 
the  stopple. 

636.  Lacquered  sweetmeat  box. 

637.  Beautiful  pearl  inlaid  lacquered  cover  to  636. 

638.  Splendid  pearl  inlaid  lady’s  dressing  case  from 

Japan. 


CASE  XXVII. 


Contains  a model  of  a Chinese  flower  boat,  some 
pots  of  artificial  flower  and  an  Argus  Pheasant  feather 
fan. 

The  flower  boats  are  used  by  the  Chinese  as  hotels 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXIX. 


151 


Hong  Boats. 

are  with  us,  but  to  a greater  extent,  in  giving  dinners. 
They  are  also  often  used  by  bridal  parties  and  excur- 
sions of  other  kinds  upon  the  rivers.  At  Canton 
whole  streets  of  these  boats  are  seen,  which  with 
their  richly  carved  and  gilded  fronts  present  a gorgeous 
spectacle,  especially  at  night,  when  they  are  splendidly 
lighted  with  a great  variety  of  lanterns.  Many  of 
them  are  used  as  drinking  and  gaming  establishments 
and  some  for  worse  purposes.  On  the  top  of  the  case 
is  an  elegant  model  of  a Chinese  summer  house  and 
a beautiful  specimen  of  carving  in  fine  wood. 


CASE  XXVIII. 

Contains  a model  of  a Hong  boat,  and  some  pots 
of  artificial  flowers.  These  boats  are  so  called  by 
foreigners,  because  used  by  the  Hong  merchants  in 
going  from  one  part  of  Canton  to  another,  or  to  and 
from  their  country  places.  They  are  very  pleasant 
and  convenient  boats  for  making  excursions  upon  the 
river  with  small  parties  in  summer,  and  have  been 
adopted  by  several  foreign  residents  at  Canton  for  this 
purpose.  On  this  and  the  next  case  are  a number  of 
cases  of  insects,  &c. 


CASE  XXIX. 


Contains  a model  of  a stone  bridge  of  five  arches 
at  Fahti  near  Canton. 


152 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXX. 


Metallic  Ware. 


CASE  XXX. 


639,  640.  Two  beautiful  paintings  on  glass  represent- 
ing scenes  in  the  ancient  history  of  the  Em- 
pire. 

641.  Rosaries  made  of  different  materials  and  worn 

by  priest  and  mandarins. 

642.  A metallic  vessel  with  several  apartments,  one 

above  the  other,  and  tea  and  Sam-Shou  pots 
fastened  on  at  the  sides.  A lamp  beneath 
warms  the  whole  apparatus. 

643.  Handsome  domestic  shrine  made  of  king  wood. 

644.  645,  647.  Metallic  candlesticks  and  plate  to  set 

upon  an  altar  before  Budhist  idols. 

646.  White  copper  hookah  in  a case  with  box  for  to- 
bacco and  stand  for  match  paper.  In  these 
pipes  the  fumes  of  the  tobacco  are  made  to 
pass  through  water  or  some  aromatic  liquid, 
contained  in  the  vessel  below. 

648.  Metallic  tobacco  box  and  match  stand. 

649.  White  copper  hand  furnace. 

650.  651.  Metallic  night  lamp  and  cover. 

652.  A beautiful  carved  stone  tablet  in  an  elegant 

carved  king  wood  frame  and  stand. 

653,  654.  Metallic  tea  and  Shcim-Shou  pots. 

655.  Handsome  reading  lamp  made  of  white  copper. 

656,  657.  Bamboo  under  shirts  worn  by  gentlemen 

in  summer. 

658.  Sword  made  of  old  coin  and  hung  up  in  houses 
to  prevent  the  ingress  of  ghosts. 

659  to  663.  Figured  candles  burned  in  the  temples 
and  by  the  wealthy  before  the  representatives 
of  Budhist  deities  on  festivals. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXX. 


153 


Candles , SfC. 

664.  Common  Candles.  The  Chinese  have  been 

obliged  to  seek  a substitute  for  the  fat  of  ani- 
mals, owing  to  their  scarcity  in  the  vegetable 
kingdom,  and  this  they  find  in  the  seed  of 
the  croton  febriferum  or  tallow  tree.  This  seed 
which  is  contained  in  a three  lobed  berry  is 
surrounded  by  a white  substance  not  unlike 
tallow  in  consistence.  The  vegetable  grease 
is  obtained  from  the  seed  by  grinding,  crush- 
ing, exposing  it  to  heat  and  afterwards  press- 
ing it.  From  this  substance  all  their  candles 
are  made,  and  as  it  melts  easily  the  candles 
are  usually  coated  with  wax.  They  burn  rap- 
idly, having  a large  wick,  made  of  a bamboo 
stick,  covered  with  cotton,  and  give  bad  light, 
with  a great  deal  of  smoke. 

665.  A painting  on  glass  representing  a thunder 

storm,  which  the  Chinese  suppose  is  caused 
by  the  dragon. 

666.  Metallic  incense  vessel  to  suspend  against  the 

wall. 

667.  White  copper  hookah. 

668.  Carved  wood  shrine  with  porcelain  image  of 

the  goddess  Kuan-yim. 

669.  670.  A pair  of  beautifully  flowered  candles  used 

at  wedding  entertainments. 

671.  Richly  carved  and  gilt  shrine  with  name  of  the 

deity  inscribed  on  the  tablet  below. 

672,  673,  674.  Metallic  candlesticks  and  incense 

vessel. 

675,  676.  Metal  Sam-shou  pots. 

677.  Large  and  elegant  tablet  on  stand. 

20 


154  CHINESE  MUSEUM CASES  XXXII,  XXXIII. 


Duck  Boats.  Bridges. 


CASE  XXXI. 


Contains  a model  of  a duck  boat  and  several  lac- 
quered feather  fans. 

The  Chinese  consume  a great  many  ducks,  which 
they  contrive  to  rear  very  cheaply  in  boats  made  for 
the  purpose.  In  these  the  ducks  are  conveyed  from 
place  to  place  upon  the  rivers  and  turned  out  to  seek 
their  own  food  upon  the  muddy  banks  and  shoals. 
Upon  a signal  being  given  by  the  owner,  the  ducks 
may  be  seen  hurrying  from  every  direction  towards 
the  floats  to  which  they  belong,  and  ascending  the  in- 
clined planks  laid  out  for  the  purpose,  file  off  to  their 
own  coops.  It  is  said  that  the  birds  are  trained  to 
flock  to  the  boats,  when  the  signal  is  given,  by  the 
last  one  coming  in  being  whipped. 


CASES  XXXII  AND  XXXIII. 


The  first  of  these  cases  contains  a model  of  a stone 
bridge  of  three  openings  in  the  interior  of  llonam; 
and  the  second  a model  of  a granite  bridge  of  three 
arches  opposite  Canton. 

Chinese  bridges,  where  there  is  much  passing,  and 
the  situation  admits  of  it,  are  always  made  of  the  most 
solid  and  durable  materials,  put  together  in  a substan- 
tial manner.  Evidences  of  their  engineering  skill  in 
this  respect  are  to  be  seen  in  all  parts  of  the  empire, 
and  several  fine  bridges  are  spoken  of  in  Staunton’s 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXIV. 


155 


Bedsteads. 


account  of  Lord  Macartney's  embassy  to  China.  One 
of  ninety-one  arches,  thrown  across  an  arm  of  a lake 
between  Soo-chow  and  Hang-chow,  was  passed,  and 
in  Keang-nan  solid  stone  bridges  of  different  forms 
were  observed  to  be  thrown  over  the  canal.  Some 
of  the  arches  were  semi-circular,  others  the  transverse 
section  of  an  elipse,  and  others  approached  the  shape 
of  a horse  shoe,  the  space  being  widest  at  the  top. 
From  the  fact  of  arches  and  vaulted  work  being  found 
in  the  Great  Wall,  which  was  built  more  than  two 
thousand  years  ago,  it  is  evident  that  the  Chinese 
must  have  understood  the  construction  and  proper- 
ties of  the  arch  long  before  the  Greeks  and  Romans, 
whose  original  and  most  ancient  edifices  consisted  of 
columns  connected  by  straight  architraves,  of  bulk 
sufficient  to  support  the  incumbent  pressure  of  solid 
masonry. 


CASE  XXXIV. 


Contains  a beautiful  model  of  a Mandarin’s  couch, 
with  the  appurtenances  complete.  On  the  top  is  a 
model  of  the  Wampoa  pagoda. 

The  bedsteads  used  by  the  wealthy  Chinese,  of 
which  our  model  is  a fair  specimen,  are  massive  and 
tasty  pieces  of  furniture,  and  cost  large  sums.  In 
summer  nothing  but  a mat  is  used  upon  them  ; and 
in  winter  a thin  quilt  stuffed  with  raw  silk.  The  lux- 
ury of  feather  beds,  hair  mattrasses,  and  other  western 
inventions,  appear  to  be  unknown  to  the  Celestials. 
The  bed  covering  is  made  of  silk,  and  always  hand- 
some ; its  arrangement  at  the  back  will  be  noticed  in 


156 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXV. 


Wampoa  Pagoda. 

the  model.  A pillow  made  of  bamboo  or  rattan  usu- 
ally answers  to  rest  the  head  upon. 

The  model  of  a pagoda  on  this  case  is  a represen- 
tation of  the  pagoda  of  Pepa-chow,  known  to  foreign- 
ers as  the  “Wampoa  pagoda.”  It  is  one  of  the  land- 
marks used  by  vessels  coming  up  the  river.  It  stands 
on  a slight  elevation  of  ground,  is  about  170  feet  high, 
and  was  built  in  1598.  It  was  originally  called 
Fowtu,  (Budha,)  and  also  “the  pagoda  of  the  sea 
monsters,”  and  has  a small  court  dedicated  to  the  god 
of  the  north,  and  a temple  consecrated  to  the  mon- 
sters of  the  deep. 


CASE  XXXV. 


678.  Large  cakes  of  ink  with  gilt  figures  of  the  dragon 

upon  them. 

679.  Rolls  of  ink  used  in  stores. 

680.  Common  writing  pencils  of  different  sizes. 

681.  A case  of  fine  writing  pencils. 

682.  Fine  ink  of  different  manufacture. 

683.  Large  and  small  pencils  for  writing  the  differ- 

ent styles  of  characters. 

684.  Similar  to  680. 

685.  Brushes  used  by  lantern  manufacturers. 

686.  Ink  stones. 

687.  A pair  of  children’s  grass  slippers. 

688.  Shoes  for  large  sized  compressed  feet. 

689.  do.  do.  small  feet. 

690.  Prints  used  by  the  Chinese  ladies  upon  their 

faces,  which  they  cover  so  completely  with 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXV. 


157 


Boots , Shoes,  fyc. 

white  as  to  hide  their  complexions  entirely. 
The  lips  only  are  touched  with  red. 

691.  Shoes  for  small  footed  ladies. 

692.  Clay  models  of  a pair  of  the  golden  lilies,  one 

bandaged  and  the  other  naked. 

693.  False  hair  worn  by  ladies. 

694.  Pair  of  children’s  grass  slippers. 

695.  Thick  leather  soled  shoes  worn  in  wet  weather 

by  women  with  large  feet. 

696.  Boys’  satin  shoes  with  fancy  soles. 

697.  698.  Children’s  embroidered  shoes. 

699.  Heavy  shoes  for  children,  with  felt  soles. 

700.  Beautifully  embroidered  shoes  of  various  pat- 

terns for  ladies  with  large  feet. 

701.  Embossed  blue  satin  shoes  for  gentlemen. 

702.  Gentlemen’s  cloth  shoes  with  felt  soles. 

703.  do.  dark  grass  shoes. 

704.  Grass  slippers. 

705.  Mandarin’s  satin  boots. 

706.  Grass  slippers  lined  with  cotton. 

707.  Similar  to  702. 

708.  Children’s  leather  shoes;  worn  by  the  poorer 

classes. 

709.  Yellow  grass  shoes  for  gentlemen. 

710.  Mourning  shoes. 

711.  Heavy  wood  soled  shoes  worn  in  rainy  weather. 

712.  Satin  shoes  with  thick  leather  soles  for  wet 

weather. 

713.  Military  boots. 

714.  Overshoes  for  ladies  with  small  feet. 

715.  Clogs  worn  by  coolies. 

716.  Leather  boots  for  ladies  with  small  feet. 

717.  Children’s  shoes. 

As  the  Chinese  have  very  little  leather  besides  pig 
skin  which  is  very  porous,  they  are  obliged  to  make 
the  soles  of  their  boots  and  shoes  waterproof  with 


158 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVI. 


Temp'e  of  Honam. 

some  other  material  to  keep  out  water.  For  this  pur- 
pose they  use  wood,  felt  and  paper. 


CASE  XXXVI. 

Contains  a model  of  the  principal  building  attached 
to  the  celebrated  Budhist  temple  at  Honam,  commonly 
called  the  Honam  Jos  house,  with  idols,  &c.,  complete. 
On  the  top  of  the  case  is  a model  of  a two  storied 
summer  house  in  the  south  of  China  completely  fur- 
nished. 

The  ground  occupied  by  the  temple  at  Honam, 
which  is  the  largest  and  best  endowed  religious  estab- 
lishment in  the  southern  part  of  the  Empire,  was 
originally  a private  garden,  but  several  hundred  years 
ago,  a priest  named  Cheyue,  built  up  an  establishment, 
which  he  called  “ the  temple  of  ten  thousand  au- 
tumns,” and  dedicated  it  to  Budha.  It  remained  an 
obscure  place  until  within  200  years;  when  the  Em- 
peror Kanghe’s  son  in  law,  who  acquired  the  title  of 
“King  of  the  subjugated  South,”  by  completely  bring- 
ing the  province  of  Canton  under  his  father’s  sway, 
took  up  his  head  quarters  in  the  temple  of  Honam. 
Being  a blood  thirsty  man,  and  casting  his  eyes  upon 
Ah-tsze,  a fat,  happy  priest,  whose  good  condition  he 
thought  could  not  be  the  effect  of  vegetable  diet,  and 
that  he  was  consequently  a hypocrite,  he  drew  his 
sword  to  kill  him ; but  his  arm  suddenly  stiffened, 
and  he  was  stopped  from  his  purpose.  That  night  a 
divine  person  appeared  to  him  in  a dream,  and  assured 
him  that  Ah-tsze  was  a holy  man,  adding,  “you  must 
not  unjustly  kill  him.”  Next  morning  the  king  pre- 
sented himself  before  Ah-tsze,  confessed  his  crime. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XXXVI. 


159 


Honavi  Jos  House. 


and  his  arm  was  immediately  restored.  He  then  did 
obeisance  to  the  priest,  and  took  him  for  his  tutor  and 
guide,  and  morning  and  evening  the  king  waited  on 
the  priest  as  his  servant.  Through  the  intervention 
of  Ah-tsze  the  inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  country 
were  rescued  from  extermination,  and  by  their  grat- 
itude and  the  munificence  of  the  king  and  his  Tartar 
officers  the  temple  was  raised  to  its  present  magnifi- 
cence. 

Its  buildings,  which  are  chiefly  of  brick,  are  numer- 
ous, and  occupy  with  the  gardens  belonging  to  the 
temple,  six  or  eight  acres.  These  grounds  are  sur- 
rounded by  a high  wall.  After  entering  the  first  gate 
and  passing  through  a long  court-yard,  the  centre  of 
which  is  occupied  by  a handsome  wide  granite  walk, 
kept  very  clean,  and  shaded  by  rows  of  large  trees  on 
each  side,  you  come  to  the  second,  called  the  hill  gate, 
over  which  Hae-chivang , the  name  of  the  temple,  is 
written  in  large  characters.  Here,  as  you  stand  in 
the  gateway,  you  see  two  colossal  figures,  twenty  or 
twenty-five  feet  in  height, — images  of  deified  warriors, 
stationed  one  on  your  right  and  the  other  on  your  left, 
in  threatening  attitudes,  to  guard  day  and  night  the 
entrance  to  the  inner  courts.  Passing  further  on, 
through  another  court,  you  enter  “ the  palace  of  the 
four  great  celestial  Kings,”  images  of  ancient  heroes, 
of  colossal  dimensions,  like  the  former.  Still  advanc- 
ing, a broad  granite  pathway,  like  the  two  former, 
conducts  you  up  to  the  principal  building,  of  which 
our  model  is  a representation.  Upon  a carved  and 
gilded  tablet,  in  front,  is  inscribed  the  characters  Tae 
Hoong  Paou  Teen,  “ The  Great  Powerful  Precious 
Palace.”  Procal,  O procul  este  profani.  You  are  now 
in  the  presence  of  the  trial  of  Budha.  Sau  Paou  Full, 
the  three  precious  Budhas.  Three  stately  images, 
more  than  twenty  feet  in  height,  in  a sitting  posture, 


160 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVI. 


Honam  Jos  House. 


covered  with  burnished  gold,  and  representing  the 
past,  the  present,  and  to  come.  On  the  right  sits 
Kwo-Keu  Full , whose  reign  is  already  past.  In  the 
centre  is  Heen-tsae  Full , who  now  reigns  over  the 
world.  And  on  the  left  is  We-lae  Full , the  Budha 
whose  reign  is  yet  to  come.  In  front  of  these  are 
altars,  upon  which  the  incense  vessels  and  offerings 
to  the  gods  are  placed.  Eighteen  other  gilded  idols 
of  smaller  size,  deck  the  sides  of  the  hall,  and  bells, 
urns,  &c.,  are  scattered  about. 

The  building  in  which  these  images  are  placed,  is 
about  100  feet  square,  and  standing  in  the  midst  of 
the  vast  hall,  at  twilight,  surrounded  by  the  colossal 
but  senseless  and  silent  idols,  who  receive  the  largest 
share  of  the  worship  due  from  the  sons  and  daughters 
of  Adam  to  their  Creator,  a feeling  of  awe  gradually 
steals  over  the  mind,  akin  to  that  felt  on  visiting  the 
splendid  edifices  dedicated  to  religious  purposes  in 
other  countries.  But  here  it  is  soon  dispelled  by  the 
monotonous  chanting  of  the  priests,  performing  their 
vespers  in  the  Pali  language,  of  the  meaning  of  which 
they  themselves  are  generally  ignorant. 

“Beyond  this  building  are  other  halls,  filled  with 
images,  and  on  the  right  side  is  a long  line  of  apart- 
ments, some  of  which  are  formed  into  narrow  cells 
for  the  priests,  and  others  into  stalls  and  pens  for  pigs, 
fowls,  &c.,  which  are  brought  to  the  temple  by  devout 
devotees,  when  they  come  to  make  or  pay  vows  to 
the  beings  who  inhabit  the  temple.  On  the  left  side 
there  is  another  set  of  apartments,  a pavilion  for  Kwan- 
foo-tsze,  a military  demigod ; a hall  for  the  reception 
of  visitors;  a treasury;  a retreat  for  Te-tseang-wang , 
the  king  of  Hades;  the  chief  priest’s  room;  a dining 
hall,  and  a kitchen.  Beyond  these,  there  is  a spacious 
garden,  at  the  extremity  of  which  there  is  a mauso- 
leum, wherein  the  ashes  of  the  burnt  priests  are  once 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVI. 


161 


Summer  Houses.  Entertainments. 


a year  deposited ; also  a furnace  for  burning  their 
dead  bodies,  and  a little  cell  in  which  the  jars  con- 
taining their  ashes  are  kept,  till  the  annual  season 
for  opening  the  mausoleum  returns.  There  are  like- 
wise, tombs  for  the  bodies  of  those  who  leave  money 
for  their  burial.  There  are  about  175  priests  in  the 
temple,  who  are  supported  in  part  by  property  be- 
longing to  the  establishment,  and  partly  by  their  own 
private  resources.  Only  a very  few  of  them  are  well 
educated.” 

The  summer  or  country  houses,  of  which  the  models 
seen  in  this  collection,  are  fair  specimens,  are  gener- 
ally built  of  wood  and  set  upon  brick  or  stone  pillars 
in  the  midst  of  sheets  of  water,  which  are  covered 
with  the  nelumbium,  or  xvater  lily.  Some  of  these 
country  seats,  occupying  a few  acres  only,  diversified 
by  artificial  hills,  clumps  of  rocks  and  trees,  small 
islands  and  buildings  of  different  sizes  and  construc- 
tion, joined  together  by  tasty  bridges,  are  arranged  in 
such  a perspective  manner  as  to  give  them  the  ap- 
pearance of  extensive  grounds.  Families  do  not 
ordinarily  reside  at  these  places,  but  short  excursions 
are  made  to  them  in  summer,  and  entertainments 
are  given  to  friends  in  them,  in  which  theatrical 
performances  generally  form  a part,  and  a private 
theatre  is  therefore  attached  to  the  principal  building 
for  this  purpose.  The  Chinese  being  great  epicures, 
some  of  these  entertainments  are  very  costly,  and  the 
tables  are  covered  with  a profusion  of  dishes,  filled 
with  extravagant  and  far-fetched  dainties.  The  order 
of  the  courses  varies,  but  they  usually  begin  as  ours 
end,  with  fruits,  cakes  and  sweetmeats,  and  end  as 
ours  begin,  with  soup,  or  more  commonly  with  plain 
boiled  rice.  The  number  of  courses  is  sometimes 
very  great ; ten,  twenty,  thirty  and  upwards  are  not 

unusual.  One  course  is  not  entirely  removed  to  give 

21 


162 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVI. 


Drinicing  Games.  Dwellings. 

place  to  another,  but  the  dishes  are  being  continually- 
changed.  The  food  consists  principally  of  stews,  in 
which  the  meat  is  cut  up  into  small  pieces  previous 
to  cooking,  in  order  to  accommodate  it  to  the*  chop- 
sticks, and  a Chinese  dinner  would  be  nothing  with- 
out stews  made  of  birds’  nests,  sharks’  fins,  deers’ 
sinews,  bircho-de-mer,  or  sea  slugs,  and  many  other 
such  dishes,  used  and  appreciated  only  by  the  Chi- 
nese, and  all  of  which,  to  the  uneducated  and  barba- 
rous taste  of  a native  of  the  western  world,  possess  a 
similarly  insipid  or  repulsive  flavor.  Sam-shou,  a 
liquor  distilled  from  rice,  is  served  hot,  and  the  host 
and  guests  amuse  themselves  with  the  game  of  tsoey- 
moey,  or  some  other.  The  game  is  played  by  two 
persons  facing  each  other  and  simultaneously  throw- 
ing out  their  hands  and  opening  some  of  their  fingers, 
at  the  same  time  expressing  the  number  of  fingers 
held  out  by  both.  If  one  guesses  correctly  and  the 
other  does  not,  the  loser  is  obliged  to  drink  a cup  of 
sam-shou.  This  is  a favorite  game  with  all  classes, 
and  Davis  says,  is  precisely  the  same  as  the  game  of 
Morra,  common  among  the  lower  orders  of  Italy  at 
the  present  day,  and  derived  by  them  from  the  Roman 
sport  of  “ Micare  digitis,”  of  which  Cicero  remarked, 
that  “ you  must  have  great  faith  in  the  honesty  of  any 
man  with  whom  you  played  in  the  dark.”  After  the 
entertainment,  if  theatricals  are  introduced,  one  of  the 
actors  steps  forward  and  presents  a list  of  plays  to  the 
principal  guest  for  his  selection,  any  of  which  the 
company  can  perform  at  a moment’s  notice. 

The  dwelling  houses  of  the  Chinese  present  a blank 
wall  to  the  street,  and  in  this  respect  as  well  as  in 
their  ordinary  plan,  are  said  to  bear  a curious  resem- 
blance to  the  remains  of  the  Roman  habitations,  dis- 
interred from  the  scoriae  and  ashes  of  Pompeii.  “ They 
consist  usually  of  a single  story,  divided  into  several 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVII 


163 


Sing-Songs  or  Theatres. 

apartments,  lighted  only  by  windows  looking  into  the 
internal  court  yard.  The  principal  room  next  to  the 
entrance,  serves  to  receive  visitors  as  well  as  for  eat- 
ing ; and  within  are  the  more  private  apartments,  the 
doorways  of  which  are  screened  by  pendant  curtains 
of  silk  or  cotton.  At  the  north,  the  apartments  are 
furnished  with  brick  work  couches,  with  furnaces 
below  to  warm  them  during  the  winter.” 

The  houses  are  generally  raised  a few  steps  above 
the  ground  and  are  generally  built  of  blue  brick  super- 
ficially pointed.  “ Those  of  consequence  are  entered 
by  a triple  gateway,  consisting  of  one  large  folding 
door  in  the  centre,  and  of  a smaller  one  on  either  side. 
These  last  serve  for  ordinary  occasions,  while  the  first  is 
thrown  open  for  the  reception  of  distinguished  guests. 
Large  lanterns  of  a cylindrical  shape  are  hung  at  the 
sides,  on  which  are  inscribed  the  name  and  titles  of 
the  inhabitant  of  the  mansion,  so  as  to  be  read  either 
by  day  or  at  night  when  the  lanterns  are  lighted.” 
Just  within  the  gates  is  the  covered  court,  where  the 
sedan  chairs  stand,  surrounded  by  red  varnished  label 
boards,  having  inscribed  in  gilt  characters,  the  full 
titles  of  any  person  of  rank  and  consequence. 


CASE  XXXVII. 


This  case  is  placed  between  II  and  III,  and  con- 
tains a model  of  a Sing-Song,  or  Chinese  theatre,  with 
actors  performing. 

The  Chinese,  although  fond  of  theatricals,  have  no 
stationary  theatres  except  at  Peking,  but  companies  of 
actors  are  continually  travelling  through  the  provinces, 
performing  wherever  the  inhabitants  can  raise  a suffi- 


164 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XXXVII. 


Actors  and  Acting. 

cient  amount  by  subscription  to  remunerate  them. 
Bamboos  and  mats  are  to  be  had  everywhere,  and  in 
a feAV  hours,  with  these,  and  rattans  to  fasten  them  to- 
gether, the  Chinese  will  construct  a large  building. 
The  theatres  are  generally  erected  in  some  of  the 
squares  or  open  places  in  front  of  the  temples,  and  are 
free  to  all  passers  by,  as  they  are  left  entirely  open  in 
front.  Women  are  never  seen  on  the  Chinese  stage, 
their  parts  being  performed  admirably  by  young  boys 
educated  for  the  purpose.  Many  of  their  plays  are 
founded  on  the  ancient  history  of  the  empire,  and  rep- 
resent the  wars  between  the  different  states  or  petty 
kingdoms.  In  these  plays  the  dresses  are  very  splen- 
did. As  they  use  little  or  no  shifting  scenery,  a great 
deal  is  left  .to  the  imagination.  An  actor  comes  in 
with  a whip  in  his  hand,  and  throws  up  his  left  leg, 
when  there  is  no  doubt  he  is  on  horseback.  Striding 
up  and  down  the  stage  several  times,  he  stops  and 
informs  the  audience  that  he  has  arrived  at  some  dis- 
tant place,  which  they  are  in  duty  bound  to  believe. 
If  he  hesitates  in  his  rapid  pace  during  his  journey, 
and  treads  a few  steps  cautiously,  and  with  an  oscil- 
lating motion  of  the  body,  and  then  stoops  down  and 
begins  pulling  at  an  imaginary  oar,  the  spectators 
must  suppose  him  exposed  to  the  dangers  of  naviga- 
tion. These  defects,  with  the  ludicrously  painted 
faces  of  the  actors,  representing  Tartar  generals,  and 
the  horrid  din  kept  up  with  gongs  and  an  instrument 
which  has  been  aptly  compared,  in  its  notes,  to  a 
cracked  penny  trumpet,  renders  all  their  historical 
plays  farces  in  the  eyes  of  foreigners.  The  plays 
begin  about  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  last  until  late 
at  night,  usually  ending  with  tumbling  and  other  feats 
of  agility  and  strength. 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASES  XXXVIII,  XXXIX.  165 


Tools , Brushes , fyc. 


CASE  XXXVIII. 


Between  Cases  III  and  IV,  contains  a small  model 
of  a tanka  boat. 


CASE  XXXIX. 


Between  Cases  IV  and  V. 

718.  Mats  made  of  cocoa-nut  husks. 

719.  Brushes  “ “ “ used  by  painters. 

720.  Barbers’  brushes. 

721.  Gentlemen’s  leather  pockets. 

722.  Tinder  cases. 

723.  Small  opium  pillow. 

724.  Pocket  ink-stand. 

725.  Moustache  combs. 

726.  Tortoise  shell  and  bamboo  instruments,  used  by 

ladies  to  fasten  up  the  hair. 

727.  Brushes  used  by  ladies  to  clean  their  combs. 

728.  Tinman’s  soldering  irons,  made  of  iron. 

729.  Small  tinman’s  shears. 

730.  Tinman’s  hammers. 

731.  Funnel  made  of  tin. 

732.  Tailor’s  shears. 

733.  Ladies’  scissors. 

734.  Snuffers. 

735.  Shoe  brushes. 

736.  “ Soon-poon ” counting-board  universally  used  by' 

the  Chinese  in  calculating  sums. 


166 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XL. 


Jos  Stick  or  Incense. 


737.  Chinese  padlock  of  curious  construction. 

73S.  Small  pillow  made  of  rattan. 

739.  Pillow  made  of  lacquered  pig  skin. 

740.  Leather  travelling  pillow. 

741.  Chinese  nails  and  screws  made  entirely  by  hand. 


CASE  XL. 

Between  Cases  IX  and  X. 

742.  Large  Jos  stick  burned  in  incense  vessels  be- 

fore idols. 

743.  Jos  stick  made  of  the  raspings  of  sandal  wood, 

which  when  burned  gives  out  a fragrant  odor. 

744.  745.  Sandal  wood  Jos  stick  in  different  fancy 

packages. 

746.  Common  Jos  stick  used  in  stores  and  houses  as 

incense.  Before  clocks  were  introduced  into 
China,  Jos  stick,  graduated  to  measure  time, 
and  clepsydra’s  were  instruments  by  which 
the  Chinese  kept  the  time  of  day.  Each 
period  of  a day  and  night  together  is  divided 
by  them  into  twelve  parts  called  chee,  which 
begin  at  eleven  o’clock  at  night  according  to 
our  reckoning. 

747.  Brick  tea  used  in  China,  as  a medicine,  and  in 

some  parts  of  Tartary,  according  to  Timkow- 
ski,  like  money,  as  a medium  of  exchange. 

748.  Chinese  match  paper  for  lighting  pipes.  It  takes 

fire  readily,  and  is  inflamed  when  required 
by  a slight  puff. 

749.  750.  Cakes  of  tea  used  as  a medicine. 

751.  Bing  Jos  stick  used  in  houses  and  stores  to  pre- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XL. 


167 


Betel  Nut. 


serve  a fire  to  light  pipes  by.  Jos  stick  receives 
its  name  from  the  principal  use  made  of  it,  as 
it  is  kept  continually  burning  as  incense  be- 
fore the  Jos  or  idols  in  the  temples,  houses 
and  vessels  of  the  Chinese. 

752.  Betel  nut  as  taken  from  the  tree. 

753.  “ with  the  shuck  taken  off. 

754.  Second  quality  of  betel  nut. 

755.  Betel  nut  cut  in  thin  slices  for  chewing. 

756.  Honan  betel  nut  chewed  without  pepper  leaves. 
This  nut  is  in  fact  the  areca  nut,  the  fruit  of  a slen- 
der palm,  not  above  six  inches  in  diameter  and  about 
30  feet  high. 

The  betel  pepper  is  the  vine  from  which  the  leaf  is 
obtained,  and  for  which  it  is  alone  cultivated.  The 
flavor  of  the  leaf  is  very  peculiar,  being  between  a 
herbaceous  and  an  aromatic  taste,  and  is  a little  pun- 
gent. It  is  cultivated  throughout  the  south  of  China. 
The  preparation  of  the  betel  nut  for  use  is  very  simple. 
The  thin  slices  are  merely  wrapped  in  the  raw  fresh 
pepper  leaves  with  enough  quick-lime  to  give  them  a 
flavor. 

The  habit  of  chewing  this  preparation  has  extended 
from  the  islands,  where  the  plant  is  found,  to  the  con- 
tinent of  Asia,  and  it  is  now  used  from  the  Red  sea  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean.  All  classes  of  people  among  the 
islanders,  male  and  female,  are  in  the  habit  of  chew- 
ing it.  “ It  sweetens  the  breath,”  so  say  those  who  use 
it,  “rectifies  and  strengthens  the  stomach,  and  pre- 
serves the  teeth it  also  gives  the  teeth,  lips  and  gums 
a dark  red  color,  which  is  esteemed  a mark  of  beauty 
in  proportion  to  its  darkness.  There  is  less  objection 
against  its  use  than  that  of  tobacco ; its  narcotic  prop- 
erties are  not  so  great,  and  the  taste  more  pleasant. 
Persons  of  rank  carry  it  prepared  for  use  in  splendid 
cases,  suspended  from  their  girdles.  Poor  people  are 


168 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XL. 


Tobacco. 


contented  with  cases  of  any  kind,  provided  they  con- 
tain the  substance  itself.  Among  some  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  Indian  Archipelago,  to  refuse,  on  meeting 
a friend,  to  accept  the  betel  nut  is  regarded  as  an 
offence,  and  satisfaction  is  demanded.  So  interwoven 
into  their  ideas  has  the  practice  become,  that  figures 
of  beauty  are  taken  from  it,  and  a face  is  not  account- 
ed beautiful,  unless  the  mouth  be  stained  of  a dirty 
red  round  the  outside  of  the  lips. 

757.  Medicine  put  up  in  boxes  with  advertisements 

in  the  form  of  the  Oo-loo.  An  emblem  of 
longevity. 

758,  759.  Chinese  smoking  tobacco. 

750.  Chinese  paper  segars. 

Tobacco  is  not  chewed  by  the  Chinese  but  is  smok- 
ed by  all  classes,  both  boys  and  girls  learning  the  use 
of  the  pipe  from  their  earliest  childhood.  The  tobacco 
plant  is  commonly  said  by  the  people  to  have  been 
introduced  by  the  present  dynasty,  it  is  so  mild  as  to 
be  rather  insipid  to  persons  accustomed  to  Manila 
or  Havana  tobacco,  though  the  species  is  identical. 
Large  manufactories  of  it  are  established  in  Canton, 
some  of  them  four  stories  high  (an  unusual  elevation 
for  a house  in  China)  where  all  the  processes  of  pre- 
paration are  to  be  seen.  Paper  segars  are  the  only 
kind  made  by  the  Chinese  and  are  called  by  the 
Spanish  segarhilo’s,  or  little  segars ; an  expert  work- 
man will  make  1500  in  a day.  A Chinese  would  as 
soon  think  of  going  without  his  tea  and  rice,  as  with- 
out his  pipe,  and  in  cases  of  emergency,  he  even  puts 
a sigarhilo  or  two  behind  his  ear,  to  have  one  at  hand. 
761.  Chinese  gunpowder.  This  is  another  invention 
of  the  Chinese  who  used  it  to  make  fireworks 
long  before  it  appeared  in  Europe,  but  prob- 
ably did  not  use  it  with  fire  arms  until  after- 
wards. Their  proportions  of  materials  are 


CHINESE  MUSEUM— CASE  XLI. 


169 


Seeds,  Grain , fyc. 

nearly  like  ours  but  their  powder  is  poor  stuff 
because  badly  made. 

762.  Clay  balls  for  breath  guns. 

7 63.  Iron  shot,  used  as  a matter  of  economy  by  Chi- 

nese sportsmen. 


CASE  XLI. 

Between  Cases  X and  XI. 

764.  Chinese  olives. 

765.  Chinese  green  peas. 

766.  White  Nanking  peas. 

767.  lied  rice. 

86S.  Black  Nanking  peas. 

769,  770.  Melon  seeds,  used  by  the  Chinese  while 
drinking  Sam-shou.  The  skilful  extraction  of 
the  meat  of  these  seeds  constitutes  one  of  the 
accomplishments  of  a Chinese  gentleman. 

771.  Keen-leen;  the  seeds  of  the  Lien-fa  or  water  lily 

from  Fokien.  The  leaves  and  flowers  of  this 
plant  cover  the  immense  marshes  in  the  in- 
terior of  China  and  present  a rich  and  beauti- 
ful appearance.  It  is  often  raised  for  mere 
ornament  in  capacious  earthen  ware  or  porce- 
lain tubs,  containing  gold  fish,  but  upon  the 
lakes  and  marshes  it  is  cultivated  for  its  seeds 
and  root,  both  of  which  are  articles  of  food 
much  esteemed  by  the  Chinese.  The  roots 
are  sliced  and  eaten  as  fruit,  being  white, 
juicy,  and  of  a sweetish  and  refreshing  taste ; 
the  seeds  are  eaten  with  Sam-shou. 

772,  773.  White  and  black  sesamum.  This  grain  is 

cultivated  principally  for  the  oil  obtained  from 

22 


170 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XLI. 


Sugar. 

it ; it  is  also  used  to  put  in  cakes  and  is  some- 
times boiled  and  eaten  like  rice. 

774.  Chinese  sugar  candy. 

775.  Chinese  white  sugar. 

776.  Chinese  brown  sugar. 

“From  all  the  notices  that  can  be  obtained  from 
ancient  history,  it  is  very  probable  that  China  was  the 
first  country  in  which  the  sugar  cane  was  cultivated. 
Its  native  country  is  the  southern  part  of  the  continent 
of  Asia,  and  its  properties  have  been  well  known  by 
the  inhabitants  for  many  ages.  Among  the  Chinese 
the  cultivation  of  it  is  carried  to  an  extent  sufficient 
to  suppy  their  own  wants,  and  also  to  form  an  article 
of  export.  The  varieties  of  the  cane  are  several,  but 
the  only  one  cultivated  is  the  same  as  that  which 
grows  in  the  West  Indies.”  The  process  of  manufac- 
turing it  is  simple  and  laborious;  the  machinery  is 
coarse,  and  the  labor  performed  mostly  by  human 
strength.  The  best  sugar  made  by  the  Chinese  is 
the  sugar  candy,  pulverised  in  large  stone  mortars 
and  called  ping-fa , ‘crystal  flowers/  the  superior 
quality  of  which  is  as  white  as  snow. 

777.  Long-gans.  “Dragon’s  eyes:”  so  called  from 

their  resemblance  to  the  ball  of  the  eye : a 
favorite  fruit  with  the  Chinese,  but  not  suited 
to  the  palate  of  “ barbarians.” 

778.  779.  First  and  second  qualities  of  deers’  sinews. 

780.  Good  and  inferior  qualities  of  bicho-de-mar  or 

tripang. 

781.  Prepared  birds’  nests  of  two  qualities.  * 

782.  Edible  birds’  nests,  in  the  state  in  which  they  are 

imported  into  China. 

783.  Dried  salted  Shrimps. 

784.  Dried  fish  maws. 

785.  787.  Second  and  first  qualities  of  prepared 

sharks’  fins. 

786.  Vermicelli,  made  and  extensively  used  by  the 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XLI. 


171 


Fruits,  Vegetables,  fyc. 

Chinese  in  soups,  of  which  they  are  fond  and 

make  a great  variety. 

“ A considerable  proportion  of  the  food  of  the  Chi- 
nese consists  of  fruit,  which  is  both  cheap  and  abun- 
dant. Fruit  stalls  line  the  sides  of  the  streets,  and 
baskets  full  fill  the  doorways  of  shops.  The  variety 
is  not  so  great  as  in  western  countries,  where  exotic 
fruits  are  added  to  the  indigenous,  nor  is  the  flavor  of 
Chinese  fruits,  as  a whole,  equal  to  that  of  lands  where 
skill  and  science  have  combined  to  improve  the  pro- 
ductions of  nature.”  In  addition  to  the  fruits  already 
enumerated,  apples,  pears,  grapes,  peaches,  apricots, 
quinces,  and  dates,  grow  in  the  northern  and  middle 
parts  of  the  empire,  and  oranges,  limes,  pumelos,  cit- 
ron, custard  apples,  plantains,  pine  apples,  pomegran- 
ates, jack  fruit,  guavas,  whampes,  and  mangoes,  are 
amongst  the  fruits  found  in  the  South.  “ The  peach 
is  one  of  the  best  fruits  found  in  China,  though  it  is 
not  usually  allowed  to  attain  its  full  maturity  on  the 
tree,  the  practice  of  picking  fruits  before  they  are  ripe 
being  very  common  in  China,  and  is  often  the  chief 
reason  of  their  insipidity  which  is  noticed  by  most  all 
writers.  Pears  often  grow  to  a large  size,  but  their 
flavor,  as  well  as  that  of  the  apple,  is  far  inferior  to 
the  same  fruits  elsewhere,  which  is  accounted  for  by 
the  ignorance  of  Chinese  gardners  of  the  methods  of 
improving  the  quality  of  fruit  by  grafting  and  careful 
cultivation.” 

“ Chinese  agriculturists  excel  in  the  cultivation  of 
kitchen  -herbs  and  vegetables,  of  which  they  raise  a 
great  variety  and  an  abundant  supply.  Their  forte 
lies  in  this  branch  of  gardening,  and  in  the  amount  of 
vegetables  produced  from  a single  acre  probably  no 
people  exceed  them.  By  constant  manuring,  trans- 
planting, and  forcing,  three,  four,  and  even  five  crops 
of  vegetables  are  obtained  from  the  same  bed  in  a 


172 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XL!. 


Birds’  Nests. 


twelve  month.  They  are  very  fond  of  onions,  garlic, 
and  all  other  edible  alliacaous  plants,  of  which  they 
consume  large  quantities,  so  much  so,  in  some  in- 
stances, as  to  taint  their  persons  with  the  odor.”  But 
the  favorite  and  most  common  vegetable  used  by 
them  is  the  pc-tsae  orj oak-tsoy  ‘white  greens,’  so  called 
from  the  leaf  stalks  being  blanched.  It  is  a species 
of  brassica  resembling  lettuce;  is  produced  principally 
at  the  north,  and  from  thence  conveyed,  either  in  the 
fresh  state  or  salted,  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  They 
are  said  to  preserve  it  fresh,  either  by  planting  in  wet 
sand,  or  by  burying  it  deep  in  the  ground  ; and  it  is  a 
popular  remark,  that  the  nine  gates  of  Peking  are 
blockaded  during  the  autumnal  season  with  the  ve- 
hicles bringing  in  the  pe-tsae.  The  amount  of  this 
vegetable  consumed  is  second  only  to  rice,  of  the 
enormous  consumption  of  which  some  idea  has  been 
given  in  the  preceding  pages. 

The  article  of  birds’  nests,  which  owes  its  celebrity 
only  to  the  whimsical  luxury  of  the  Chinese,  is 
brought  principally  from  Java  and  Sumatra,  though 
it  is  found  on  most  of  the  rocky  islets  of  the  Indian 
Archipelago.  The  nest  is  the  habitation  of  a small 
swallow,  named  (from  the  circumstance  of  its  having 
an  edible  dwelling)  Hirundo  esculenta.  They  are 
found  in  caves  and  are  composed  of  a mucilainous 
substance,  which  has  never  yet  been  analysed  with 
sufficient  accuracy  to  show  its  constituents.  Those 
that  are  dry,  white,  and  clean,  are  the  most  valuable. 
They  are  packed  in  bundles,  with  split  rattans  run 
through  them  to  preserve  their  shape. 

The  quality  of  the  nests  varies  according  to  the  sit- 
uation and  extent  of  the  caves,  and  the  time  at  which 
they  are  taken.  If  procured  before  the  young  are 
fledged,  the  nests  are  of  the  best  kind ; if  they  con- 
tain eggs  only,  they  are  still  valuable ; but  if  the  young 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XLI. 


173 


Mode  of  Procuring  and  Value  of  Birds'  Nests. 

are  in  the  nests  or  have  left  them,  the  whole  are  then 
nearly  worthless,  being  dark  colored,  streaked  with 
blood,  and  intermixed  with  feathers  and  dirt.  The 
nests  are  procurable  twice  every  year ; the  best  are 
found  in  deep,  damp  caves,  which  if  not  injured  will 
continue  to  produce  indefinitely.  It  was  once  thought 
that  the  caves  near  the  sea  coast  were  the  most  pro- 
ductive ; but  some  of  the  most  profitable  yet  found, 
are  situated  fifty  miles  in  the  interior.  This  fact 
seems  to  be  against  the  opinion  of  some,  that  the 
nests  are  composed  of  the  spawn  of  fish  or  of  bicho 
de  mar. 

The  method  of  procuring  these  nests  somewhat  re- 
sembles that  of  catching  birds  on  the  Orkney  isles. 
Some  of  the  caves  are  so  precipitous,  that  no  one,  but 
those  accustomed  to  the  employment  from  their  youth 
can  obtain  the  nests,  “being  only  approachable,” 
says  Crawford,  “ by  a perpendicular  descent  of  many 
hundred  feet,  by  ladders  of  bamboo  and  rattan,  over  a 
sea  rolling  violently  against  the  rocks.  When  the 
mouth  of  the  cave  is  attained,  the  perilous  task  of 
taking  the  nests  must  often  be  performed  by  torch- 
light, by  penetrating  into  recesses  of  the  rock,  where 
the  slightest  slip  would  be  instantly  fatal  to  the  adven- 
turers, who  see  nothing  below  them  but  the  turbulent 
surf  making  its  way  into  the  chasms  of  the  rock.” 

After  they  are  obtained,  they  are  separated  from 
feathers  and  dirt,  and  carefully  dried  and  packed,  and 
are  then  ready  for  the  consumer.  The  sale  of  birds’ 
nests  is  a monopoly  with  all  the  governments  in 
whose  dominions  they  are  found.  The  Chinese  are 
the  only  people  who  purchase  them  for  their  own  use, 
and  in  China  they  command  extravagant  prices;  the 
best,  or  white  kind  often  being  worth  $1800  per  pecul 
of  133  pounds.  The  labor  bestowed  to  render  it  fit 
for  the  table  is  enormous ; every  feather,  stick  or  im- 


174 


CHINESE  MUSEUM CASE  XLI. 


Bicho  de  Mar , Sharks’  Fins , Sfc. 

purity  of  any  kind  is  carefully  removed;  and  then 
after  undergoing  many  washings  and  preparations,  it 
is  stewed  into  a soft,  mucilaginous  jelly.  When  pre- 
pared for  cooking,  the  best  quality  sells  at  the  rate  of 
$50  a catty  (1 K lb.)  or  $5000  per  pecul.  The  most 
part  of  the  best  kind  is  sent  to  Peking  for  the  use  of 
the  court.  It  appears  that  this  curious  dish  is  only 
an  article  of  expensive  luxury  among  the  Chinese ; 
the  Japanese  do  not  use  it  at  all,  and  how  the  former 
people  acquired  the  habit  of  using  it  is  only  less  sin- 
gular than  their  persevering  in  it.  They  consider  the 
birds’  nest  as  a great  stimulant  and  tonic,  but  its  best 
quality,  perhaps,  is  its  being  perfectly  harmless. 

The  slug  ( Hololhurion ) called  Bicho  de  mar,  as  its 
name  imports,  is  a product  of  the  sea,  and  resembles 
that  often  seen  in  damp  places  on  land.  It  forms  one 
of  the  important  articles  of  commerce  between  the 
islands  of  the  Indian  Archipelago  and  China.  It  is 
found  on  all  the  islands  from  New  Holland  to  Suma- 
tra, and  also  on  most  of  those  in  the  Pacific.  It  is 
produced  in  the  greatest  abundance  on  small  coral 
islands,  is  an  ill  looking  animal,  and  has  but  few  pow- 
ers of  locomotion.  The  ordinary  length  is  seen  here, 
although  it  is  sometimes  two  feet  long.  It  is  taken 
with  the  hand  by  natives,  who  often  dive  for  it : and 
after  it  has  been  cleansed,  dried  and  smoked,  it  is  fit 
for  sale.  The  Chinese  use  it  by  itself  or  as  an  ingre- 
dient in  other  dishes,  and  consume  large  quantities 
under  the  belief  that  it  is  an  aphrodisiac.  When 
brought  to  the  table  it  resembles  pork  rind  in  color 
and  consistency.  The  varieties  into  which  the  Chi- 
nese divide  it  are  about  thirty,  but  unless  one  is  well 
acquainted  with  the  article  it  is  impossible  to  distin- 
guish them. 

Deers’  sinews  and  sharks’  fins,  when  cooked,  are 
esteemed  by  the  Chinese  for  their  supposed  stimu- 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XLI. 


175 


Fish,  Ducks , fyc. 

lating  and  tonic  properties.  The  former  are  brought 
from  the  northern  parts  of  the  empire  to  Canton,  and 
the  latter  are  sought  for  from  the  Indian  Ocean  to  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  to  supply  the  Chinese  market 
The  chief  supply  is  from  Bombay  and  the  Persian  Gulf 
There  appears  to  be  little  or  no  choice  as  to  what  spe- 
cies of  shark  the  fins  are  from,  but  those  of  a whitish 
color  are  valued  much  higher  than  the  black  sort. 
Sharks  and  rays  of  all  kinds  form  a common  article 
of  food  amongst  the  Chinese  on  the  coast. 

The  stomach  of  fishes  called  fish  maws,  like  the 
preceding  articles,  are  used  as  a luxury  among  the 
Chinese,  who  consume  them  for  their  imagined 
strengthening  and  aphrodisiac  qualities.  They  are  of 
a cartilaginous  nature,  and  are  cured  by  stretching 
and  drying  them  in  the  sun.  They  are  chiefly 
brought  to  China  in  junks  from  the  Indian  islands. 

In  addition  to  the  stock  and  other  kinds  of  salt  fish 
imported  in  small  quantities,  the  Chinese  cure  a large 
amount  of  the  fish  and  shrimps  taken  in  their  own 
waters  by  salting  and  drying  them  in  the  sun,  and 
seem  particularly  to  relish  the  high  flavor  of  those 
preserved  with  just  enough  salt  to  keep  them  from 
becoming  absolutely  putrid. 

Of  the  immense  number  of  ducks,  hatched  by  arti- 
ficial heat  and  raised  in  boats  upon  the  inland  waters, 
many  are  split  and  dried.  The  gizzards  of  geese, 
ducks  and  other  fowls,  smoked  and  dried,  and  even 
rats  and  mice,  similarly  preserved,  are  common  arti- 
cles of  food  amongst  the  middling  and  poorer  classes. 
The  split  ducks,  smoked  gizzards,  and  rats  and  mice 
are  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  stalls,  or  carried  about 
the  streets  on  poles,  exactly  as  represented  in  some 
geographies.  Dogs  and  cats  are  eaten  by  those  who 
can  afford  to  buy  other  meat,  and  are  seen  for  sale  in 
baskets  in  most  all  the  public  places  in  cities:  the  lat- 


176 


CHINESE  MUSEUM— CASE  XLI. 


Reptiles  Eaten.  Mode  of  Cooking. 

ter  seeming  to  be  aware  of  their  fate  by  the  piteous 
mewings  kept  up  amongst  them,  and  Chinese  dogs 
are  said  to  have  a particular  aversion  for  butchers,  in 
consequence,  no  doubt,  of  the  violation  of  those  per- 
sonal exemptions  and  privileges  which  the  canine 
race  are  allowed  to  enjoy  almost  everywhere  else. 
Dogs  indeed  are  enumerated  as  a regular  article  of 
food  in  one  of  their  ancient  books,  and  among  the 
rich,  a Avild  cat,  previously  prepared  by  feeding,  is 
reckoned  a delicacy.  An  amusing  anecdote  is  told  of 
a foreigner  who  in  dining  with  a wealthy  Chinese, 
took  quite  a fancy  to  one  of  the  dishes  upon  the  table, 
of  which  he  ate  considerable,  supposing  it  to  be  duck, 
but  to  satisfy  himself  on  this  point  beckoned  one  of 
the  servants  to  approach,  and  pointing  at  the  dish,  in 
an  inquiring  tone,  imitating  the  quacking  of  that  fowl ; 
when  much  to  his  discomfort  the  servant  shook  his 
head  and  answered  with  a bow-wow-wow,  thus  in- 
forming him  he  had  been  eating  dog’s-meat. 

If  the  rich  should  appear  to  be  fantastic  in  the  se- 
lection of  their  diet,  the  poor  are  no  less  indiscriminate 
in  the  supply  of  theirs;  frogs,  toads,  water  snakes,  liz- 
ards, and  bats  are  purchased  by  the  latter,  and  among 
insects  the  locust,  grasshopper,  and  silkworm  are 
eaten.  The  two  former  are  sometimes  cooked  by 
being  roasted  alive,  and  are  esteemed  a delicate  re- 
past ; the  latter  is  taken  after  the  insect  has  wound  off 
the  cocoon  of  silk  and  cooked  by  baking.  By  some 
epicures  the  larvae  of  the  sphinx-moth,  as  well  as  a 
grub  which  is  bred  in  the  sugar-cane,  are  much  rel- 
ished. 

As  might  be  expected  from  the  economical  habits 
of  the  people,  that  great  save-all,  the  pig,  is  univer- 
sally reared  about  cottages,  and  its  flesh  is  by  far  the 
commonest  meat;  a maxim  of  the  Chinese  is,  “that 
a scholar  does  not  quit  his  books,  nor  the  poor  man 


CHINESE  MUSEUM — CASE  XLI. 


177 


Dragon  Procession,  fyc. 

his  pigs.”  Oil  is  used  by  the  Chinese  in  cooking,  as 
batter  is  with  us,  and  is  usually  that  extracted  from 
ground  or  pea  nuts,  although  the  oil  extracted  from 
the  ricinus,  which  yields  the  castor  oil  of  medicine, 
and  other  kinds  are  frequently  used ; but  the  ricinus 
oil  as  used  by  them  in  its  fresh  state,  and  with  some 
peculiar  preparation,  has  neither  the  strong  detergent 
properties,  nor  the  detestable  taste,  by  which  this  oil 
is  known  with  us. 


Lanterns , Paintings,  &c. 

Among  the  great  number  of  lanterns  suspended  over 
head,  will  be  particularly  noticed  the  large  and  splen- 
didly embroidered  one,  hung  from  the  centre  piece  of 
the  fresco  work.  This  is  about  ten  feet  high,  and  is 
altogether  a gorgeous  affair,  the  frame  being  beauti- 
fully carved  and  gilt,  the  panels  richly  embroidered, 
and  there  are  several  hundred  silk  tassels  pendant 
from  different  parts  of  it.  Such  lanterns  as  this  are 
not  intended  to  be  lighted,  and  are  used  only  in  pro- 
cessions of  Mandarins,  and  to  decorate  the  temples 
when  they  visit  them,  as  required  by  the  ritual,  to 
offer  sacrifices  and  do  homage  to  the  ancient  sages 
and  emperors.  The  dragon  lantern  will  also  be  no- 
ticed; this,  with  the  fish  and  bird  lanterns  hanging  in 
different  parts  of  the  room,  and  also  those  made  of 
gauze  are  carried  in  the  yearly  dragon  processions  to 
propitiate  that  fabled  monster.  Amongst  the  others 
are  two  very  large  ones,  made  of  horn,  with  silk  tas- 
sels around  them,  two  large  carved  king  wood  framed 
ones,  with  beautiful  painted  silk  panels,  and  four 
beautiful  ones  with  small  paper  figures,  capable  of 
motion  when  the  lanterns  are  lighted. 

23 


178 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


Paintings. 

Among  the  pictures  which  cover  the  wall  at  the  end, 
near  the  entrance,  and  of  which  there  are  between 
four  and  five  hundred  in  oil  and  water  colors,  are 
two  large  and  beautiful  paintings  of  the  city  of  Can- 
ton and  Hon  a m opposite  Canton,  portraits  of  Samqua, 
Houqua,  and  Linchung,  three  of  the  Hong  merchants, 
dressed  in  their  official  robes,  which  they  purchased 
the  privilege  of  wearing.  Houqua  was  generally 
well  known  for  his  riches ; he  died  about  two  years 
since,  and  left  about  fifteen  millions  of  dollars,  after 
paying  an  immense  amount  to  the  government  dur- 
ing the  troubles  with  the  English.  The  portrait  on 
the  left  of  Linchung  is  one  of  a Chinaman,  called 
Boston  Jack,  who  is  well  known  to  all  persons  who 
have  visited  China  as  he  furnishes  the  ships  with  pro- 
visions. Below  Linchung  and  Jack  is  a set  of  twelve 
paintings  in  oil  colors,  representing  the  life  of  a suc- 
cessful Chinaman  from  his  birth  to  his  death.  Be- 
neath these  are  twelve  paintings,  showing  the  grow- 
ing of  rice,  and  on  the  right  of  these,  on  the  other  side 
of  the  room  are  twelve  more,  representing  the  cul- 
ture, curing  and  packing  of  tea.  Over  the  beautiful 
paintings  of  flowers,  &c.  are  four  frames  with  six  rice 
paintings  in  each;  the  two  on  the  left  showing  a 
funeral  procession,  and  the  two  on  the  right  a mar- 
riage procession.  Over  the  large  paintings  are  two 
portraits  of  Chinese  beauties. 

Besides  those  mentioned  are  an  immense  number 
of  Chinese  views,  paintings  of  birds,  punishments, 
vessels,  fishes,  shells,  insects,  &c.  &c.  The  scroll 
paintings  hung  between  the  windows  over  the  large 
cases  on  the  west  side  of  the  room  represent  some  of 
the  Budhist  deities,  sitting  in  judgment  upon  the 
souls  of  mortals,  while  below  are  seen  the  guilty  suf- 
fering the  most  horrid  punishments,  such  as  being 
boiled  in  cauldrons  of  molten  lead,  sawn  asunder, 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


179 


Introduction  of  Budhism.  Early  Travellers. 

thrown  on  beds  of  spikes,  &c.  Those  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  room  are  representations  of  some  of  the 
Bndhist  deities.  All  the  paintings  in  the  Museum  are 
the  work  of  Chinese  artists,  and  for  execution  and 
finish  speak  for  themselves. 


General  Remarks  upon  the  early  intercourse  with  China , 
her  present  commerce  ivith  foreign  nations , her  govern- 
ment, £c. 

China  being  situated  on  the  eastern  border  of  Asia, 
appears  to  have  been  so  far  removed  from  other  great 
nations  of  Antiquity,  that  little  was  known  by  them 
concerning  it,  and  the  notices  to  be  found  in  their  his- 
tories concerning  its  existence,  are  few  and  uncertain. 
During  the  first  century  of  our  era,  under  the  reign  of 
the  celebrated  Han  dynasty,  the  Emperor  Mingty, 
despatched  messengers  to  India,  who  brought  back 
the  religion  of  Budha ; and  Hoty,  a succeeding  Em- 
peror, sent  an  envoy  to  seek  some  intercourse  with 
the  western  world,  who  is  said  to  have  reached  Ara- 
bia. About  the  middle  of  the  second  century,  as  re- 
corded in  Chinese  history,  people  came  from  India 
and  other  western  nations  with  tribute,  and  from  that 
time,  foreign  trade  was  carried  on  at  Canton.  Under 
this  head  of  tribute,  was  probably  placed  the  presents 
carried  by  the  embassy,  despatched  by  the  Roman 
Emperor,  Marcus  Antonius,  to  China,  in  A.  D.  161, 
to  acquaint  himself  with  the  country  which  was 
reported  to  produce  the  beautiful  silks  supplied  to 
his  luxurious  countrymen  through  the  medium  of 
India.  There  is  sufficient  evidence  that  some  Nes- 
torian  Christians  entered  China  as  early  as  the  mid- 


180 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


Marco  Polo's  Residence  in  China. 


die  of  the  seventh  century,  but  “ it  is  to  the  Arabs  that 
we  owe  the  first  distinct  account  of  China,  and  of  its 
peculiar  institutions  and  customs.  Their  far  extended 
conquest  brought  them  to  the  confines  of  that  remote 
empire ; and  the  enlightenment  of  science  and  litera- 
ture, which  they  possessed  in  no  small  degree  during 
the  eighth  and  ninth  centuries,  led  many  individuals 
among  them  to  explore  unknown  countries,  and  to 
record  what  they  had  seen.”  Although  nearly  1,000 
years  have  elapsed  since  their  first  accounts  were 
written,  there  is  a remarkable  identity  between  the 
Chinese,  as  they  are  therein  described,  and  the  same 
people  as  we  know  them  at  the  present  day. 

As  the  fact  may  not  be  familiar  to  all,  that  the 
knowledge  of  the  existence  of  an  immensely  popu- 
lous and  wealthy  empire  in  the  remotest  parts  of  the 
east  had  a great  effect  in  the  descovery  of  our  conti- 
nent by  Columbus,  a short  description  of  the  origin 
and  work  of  Marco  Polo,  a Venetian,  and  the  first 
European  who  gave  the  world  a history  of  his  travels 
in  those  distant  regions,  is  here  given. 

His  father  Nicholas,  and  uncle  Matheo  Polo  first 
visited  the  court  of  Cublai  Khan,  the  sovereign  poten- 
tate of  the  Tartars  and  Emperor  of  China,  who  com- 
pleted the  conquest  of  the  Chinese  Empire,  began  by 
his  grand-father,  Ghenghis,  who  overthrew  all  the  in- 
dependent powers  of  Tartary  and  made  himself  sole 
master  of  Central  Asia.  Nicholas  and  Matheo  em- 
barked from  Venice  on  a commercial  voyage  to  the 
east,  about  the  year  1255,  and  having  penetrated  to 
the  Court  of  Cublai,  by  whom  they  were  received 
with  great  distinction,  from  political  motives,  it  is  sup- 
posed, where  furnished  with  letters  to  the  Pope,  en- 
treating him  to  send  a hundred  learned  men  to  in- 
struct the  sages  of  his  empire  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
Christian  faith,  and  on  their  departure  for  Europe 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


181 


Marco  Polo’s  Return  to  Venice. 

were  invited  to  return.  They  arrived  home  safely  in 
1269,  and  having  delivered  their  letters  and  received 
others  from  the  Pope,  with  presents  to  the  Grand 
Khan,  they  set  out  again  for  the  remote  regions  of 
Tartary  in  1721,  accompanied  by  two  learned  friars 
and  young  Marco,  who  was  born  shortly  after  his 
father  left  the  first  time.  The  friars  becoming  alarmed 
for  the  safety  of  their  lives  in  Armenia,  where  a war 
was  raging,  took  refuge  in  a monastery  where  they  re- 
mained, and  the  Polos,  after  a long  journey  and  suffer- 
ing many  hardships,  arrived  in  the  dominions  of  Cub- 
lai,  who,  hearing  of  their  approach,  sent  officers  to 
meet  them  at  forty  days  distance  from  the  court. 

The  Venetians  resided  about  seventeen  years  at  the 
Tartar  Court,  during  which  they  were  treated  with 
great  distinction ; and  Marco,  having  acquired  the  four 
principal  languages  of  the  country,  was  employed  by 
the  Khan  in  missions  and  services  of  importance  in 
various  parts  of  his  dominions.  At  length  after  con- 
siderable difficulty  in  obtaining  the  consent  of  the 
Khan,  the  Polos  set  out  on  their  return  to  Venice  by 
sea,  being  loaded  with  presents  of  rich  jewels  given 
them  by  their  patron,  who  made  them  promise  to  re- 
turn to  him  after  they  had  visited  their  families.  They 
arrived  in  Venice  in  1295,  literally  laden  with  riches, 
and  having  heard,  on  their  journey,  of  the  death  of 
their  old  benefactor,  they  considered  themselves  ab- 
solved from  their  promise  to  return.  Several  months 
after  their  arrival,  in  an  action  between  the  Genoese 
and  Venetian  navies,  Marco  Polo,  who  had  taken  the 
command  of  one  of  the  galleys  of  the  latter,  advanc- 
ing first  in  the  line,  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to 
Genoa  in  irons.  Here  he  was  detained  in  prison, 
and  all  offers  of  ransom  rejected.  Having  had  his 
papers  aud  journals  sent  to  him  from  Venice,  he  pro- 
duced his  work  on  China. 


182 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


Influence  of  Marco  Polo's  Work  upon  Columbus. 

This  work  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  principal 
lights  used  by  the  Portuguese  in  the  fifteenth  century, 
when  the  attention  of  the  world  was  turned  towards 
the  remote  parts  of  Asia,  and  they  were  attempting  to 
circumnavigate  Africa;  and  from  Marco  Polo’s  de- 
scriptions of  the  situation  of  China  and  the  islands  on 
the  coast,  and  the  state  of  geographical  knowledge  of 
the  day,  Columbus  was  led  to  believe  that  by  sailing 
in  a westerly  direction  he  should  reach  the  eastern 
shores  of  Asia.  With  this  idea,  and  the  supposition 
that  the  circumference  of  the  earth  was  much  less  than 
it  was  afterwards  found  to  be,  he  set  sail  from  Spain, 
and  when  he  arrived  among  the  West  India  Islands, 
we  find  him  trying  to  identify  the  island  of  Cipango 
of  which  Marco  Polo  gave  a splendid  description. 
We  afterwards  find  him  seeking  in  the  island  of  Cuba, 
which  he  supposed,  from  the  accounts  of  the  natives, 
and  his  own  observation  to  be  a part  of  the  main  land, 
for  the  rich  city  of  Cambalu,  (Peking,)  in  the  Province 
of  Cathay,  the  winter  residence  of  the  Great  Kahn, 
and  where,  according  to  Marco  Polo,  was  to  be  seen, 
“ in  wonderful  abundance,  the  precious  stones,  the 
pearls,  the  silks,  and  the  diverse  perfumes  of  the  East.” 

“ The  sumptuous  descriptions  given  by  Marco  Polo,” 
says  Irving,  “ of  countries  teeming  with  wealth,  and 
cities  whose  very  domes  and  palaces  flamed  with  gold, 
induced  Columbus,  who  was  confident  of  soon  arriv- 
ing at  these  countries,  to  hold  forth  those  promises  of 
immediate  wealth  to  the  Spanish  Sovereigns,  which 
caused  much  disappointment,  and  brought  upon  him 
the  frequent  reproach  of  exciting  false  hopes  and  in- 
dulging in  wilful  exaggeration.” 

“He  died,”  continues  Irving,  “in  ignorance  of  the 
real  grandeur  of  his  discovery.  Until  his  last  breath, 
he  entertained  the  idea  that  he  had  merely  opened  a 
new  way  to  the  old  resort  of  opulent  commerce,  and 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


183 


Early  Trade  with  China. 

had  discovered  some  of  the  wild  regions  of  the  east 
He  supposed  Hispaniola  to  be  the  ancient  Gphir, 
which  had  been  visited  by  the  ships  of  Solomon,  and 
that  Cuba  and  Terra  Firma  were  but  remote  parts  of 
Asia.  In  all  his  voyages  he  was  continually  seeking 
after  the  territories  of  the  grand  Khan,  and  even  after 
his  last  expedition,  when  nearly  worn  out  by  age, 
hardships  and  infirmities,  he  offered  in  a letter  to  the 
Spanish  monarchs,  written  from  a bed  of  sickness,  to 
conduct  any  missionary  to  the  territories  of  the  Tartar 
Emperor,  who  would  undertake  his  conversation.” 

The  first  Europeans  who  traded  directly  with  China 
were  the  Portuguese,  who  made  their  appearance  at 
Canton  in  1546,  not  many  years  after  their  celebrated 
navigator,  Vasco  De  Gama,  discovered  the  passage 
around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  But  it  was  not  un- 
til about  the  middle  of  the  16th  century,  that  they 
established  themselves  at  Macao,  for  the  use  of  which 
place  they  still  pay  a ground  rent  to  the  Chinese  of 
500  taels  per  annum.  The  only  privilege  they  appear 
to  possess  is  that  of  governing  themselves;  as  the 
Chinese  population  of  the  town  is  entirely  under  the 
control  of  the  Mandarins. 

The  Spaniards  soon  followed  the  Portuguese,  but 
they  have  derived  less  advantage  from  an  intercourse 
with  China  than  most  other  nations,  notwithstanding 
the  vast  advantage  which  they  possess  in  the  locality 
of  Manilla  and  the  Philipine  islands,  within  a few  days’ 
sail  of  China,  and  approached  with  equal  facility  in 
either  monsoon. 

The  first  attempt  made  by  the  English  to  establish 
a trade  with  China,  was  during  the  reign  of  Elizabeth 
in  1596,  but  the  vessels  sent  out  were  wrecked  on  the 
outward  passage,  and,  owing  to  the  jealousy  and  mis- 
representations of  the  Portuguese,  their  future  attempts 


184 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


Early  2'rade  icith  China. 

and  those  of  the  E.  I.  C.  were  unsuccessful  until 
about  the  beginning  of  the  last  century. 

The  first  American  vessel  sent  out  to  China,  sailed 
from  New  York  in  1784.  She  was  soon  followed  by 
others,  and  the  trade  rapidly  increased  until  1789, 
when  there  were  more  American  vessels  at  Canton 
than  from  any  other  country  except  Great  Britain ; 
and  the  American  trade  with  China  is  now  much 
larger  than  that  of  any  other  country  except  England. 
The  number  of  ships  employed  by  the  latter  being 
more  than  two  hundred,  employing  a capital  of  up- 
wards of  $20,000,000  while  we  have  about  seventy 
ships  in  the  China  trade,  and  a capital  of  about 
$7,000,000.  The  present  total  exports  from  China 
amounts  to  about  $40,000,000,  of  which  about  $15,- 
000,000  worth  are  teas,  over  $14,000,000  treasure,  near- 
ly $6,000,000  raw  silks,  silk  thread,  and  silk  goods ; and 
the  balance  is  cassia,  sugar,  sugar  candy,  lacquered 
ware,  ivory  articles,  matting,  fans,  &c.,  &c.  The  im- 
ports, amounting  to  about  the  same  sum  consist  of  the 
following  articles;  opium,  rice,  treasure  and  pearls; 
principally  the  first,  which  amounts  to  upwards  of 
$20,000,000,  ginseng  $300,000,  raw  cotton  $6,000,000, 
cotton  manufactures  and  cotton  yarn  $4,000,000, 
woolen  manufactures  of  all  kinds  $2,047,000,  metals  of 
all  kinds  $1,500,000,  and  the  balance  in  other  goods 
such  as  betel  nut,  bicho  de  mar,  birds'  nests,  &c. 

The  goods  which  we  buy  from  the  Chinese  are 
paid  for  partly  in  cotton  goods,  ginseng  and  lead,  but 
principally  by  bills  drawn  on  London  bankers,  who 
have  agencies  in  the  United  States  to  furnish  letters 
of  credit  to  foreign  traders.  They  loan  nothing  but 
their  credit  to  foreign  traders.  They  loan  nothing  but 
payable  far  enough  in  advace  for  the  proceeds  of  the 
goods  for  which  they  were  drawn  to  meet  them. 

The  English,  in  addition  to  paying  (the  Chinese) 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


185 


Hong  Merchants. 

for  all  the  teas,  silks,  &c.,  with  their  cotton,  cotton 
goods  and  opium,  are  annually  drawing  an  immense 
amount  of  the  precious  metals  from  China,  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  latter  article. 

Formerly,  all  the  business  done  by  China  with  other 
nations  except  Kussia,  was  carried  on  by  the  Cohong 
or  body  of  Hong  merchants,  of  which  nearly  every 
one  has  heard  who  has  heard  of  China.  This  body 
was  a monopoly  established  by  the  government  to 
conduct  the  trade  with  foreigners,  and  consisted  of  a 
few  persons,  who  were  allowed  to  trade  singly,  al- 
though, until  1830,  the  whole  body  was  liable  for  all 
the  foreign  debts  of  each  individual.  Some  of  the 
Hong  merchants  made  large  fortunes,  but  they  lived 
in  a state  of  continual  uncertainty,  as  having  once 
become  members  of  the  Cohong,  they  were  seldom 
allowed  to  leave  it,  unless  in  case  of  failure,  and  they 
were  liable  to  be  “ squeezed”  (as  the  Chinese  call  it) 
at  any  time,  by  the  Mandarins,  who  under  various 
pretexts  exacted  large  amounts  from  them.  Some 
one  of  the  body  was  obliged  to  become  security  for 
the  payment  of  the  port  charges,  duties,  and  good  be- 
havior of  every  vessel  entering  the  port  for  trade. 
This  monopoly  was  abolished  by  the  treaty  between 
China  and  Great  Britain,  and  the  foreign  trade  made 
free  to  all. 

The  Chinese  have  been  ridiculed  for  assuming  to 
be  the  only  civilized  nation  in  the  world.  This  as- 
sumption is  probably  owing  to  their  peculiar  institu- 
tions. They  live  on  the  past,  we  on  the  future,  and 
consequently  they  are  not  to  be  judged  by  our  stand- 
ard. We  have  thousands  of  presses  furnishing  infor- 
mation of  all  kinds  and  from  all  quarters  of  the  globe, 
which  is  distributed  with  astonishing  rapidity,  to  every 
one.  They  have  no  newspapers  except  those  used 
for  government  purposes,  which  have  a very  limited 

24 


186 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


Advancement  in  Civilization. 

circulation,  and  information  with  them,  like  light  from 
some  distant  world,  which  may  have  been  blotted 
from  existence  for  years,  does  not  reach  the  mass  of 
the  Chinese  until  it  has  ceased  to  be  new  to  the  rest 
of  the  world.  There  was  a time,  and  that  not  many 
centuries  since,  that  the  Chinese  were  farther  advanced 
in  the  arts  of  civilized  life  than  any  European  nation, 
and  they  are  still  far  in  advance  of  the  rest  of  Asia. 
Is  it  strange  then  when  they  see  the  greatest  Euro- 
pean nation  seize  upon  the  neighboring  country  of 
India  and  clandestinely  flood  their  shores  with  a drug 
which  destroys  thousands,  and  is  known  to  be  pro- 
hibited by  their  laws,  that  they  should  look  upon  them 
as  barbarians.  Is  it  strange  when  they  formerly  saw 
the  governments  and  merchants  of  foreign  nations 
belieing  each  other  and  perpetually  quarrelling  for  the 
sake  of  gain  that  they  should  look  upon  them  all  with 
suspicion  and  contempt  and  call  them  “ Fan-qui’s,” 
“ foreign  devils ! ” When  foreigners  first  began  trading 
with  the  Chinese,  every  port  was  open  to  their  com- 
merce, and  the  trade  was  free  to  all ; the  country  was 
also  open  to  missionaries,  and  the  Catholics  converted 
many  thousands  to  their  faith  and  stood  high  in  favor 
with  the  government,  but  the  misconduct  of  the  for- 
mer caused  them  to  be  confined  in  their  trade  to 
Canton,  and  the  attempts  of  the  latter  to  interfere  with 
the  government  caused  them  to  be  excluded  from  the 
country.  The  Chinese  have  also  been  denounced  for 
their  exclusiveness;  but  who  can  doubt  its  being  the 
correct  policy  of  her  rulers  to  ensure  the  stability  of 
their  government.  They  themselves  are  foreigners, 
were  invited  into  the  Empire  to  quell  a rebellion, 
which  they  did,  and  then  took  possession,  and  they 
well  know  the  danger  they  subject  themselves  to  by 
the  visits  of  strangers. 

In  1812,  according  to  the  best  Chinese  authority, 


CHINESE  MUSEUM. 


187 


Number  of  Inhabitants.  Government. 

there  were  in  the  eighteen  provinces  of  China,  360,- 
279,827  inhabitants,  and  2,167,286  in  Tartary,  subject 
to  the  Chinese  government.  As  they  have  had  no 
wars  of  consequence  since  that  time,  and  the  cholera 
is  said  to  have  passed  lightly  over  this  nation,  they 
must  now  exceed  400,000,000.  The  eighteen  prov- 
inces contain  830,719,360  English  acres,  more  than 
three-fourths  of  which  are  under  cultivation,  and  with 
a climate  so  various,  that  everything  they  wish  for  is 
produced  by  themselves,  they  need  not  and  care  not 
for  foreign  commerce. 

Twenty-seven  dynasties,  furnishing  two  hundred 
and  forty-three  sovereigns  including  the  present  and 
excluding  those  considered  mythological  by  the  Chi- 
nese themselves,  have  swayed  the  destinies  of  China 
for  more  than  4,600  years.  Well  may  the  Tartar  and 
his  subjects  be  proud  of  the  throne  upon  which  he 
sits  unrivalled  as  it  stands  in  the  annals  of  the  world, 
and  without  boasting  can  they  point  to  its  antiquity, 
and  that  of  their  laws  and  customs,  founded  prior,  or 
at  least  coeval  with  the  Empire  of  Babylon,  the  very 
site  of  whose  greatest  city,  with  its  stupendous  walls 
and  hundred  gates  of  brass,  is  now  a matter  of  doubt. 

Other  great  empires  and  kingdoms  have  risen  and 
flourished  for  a season,  but  where  are  they?  Go, 
seek  their  history  among  the  pyramids  and  ruins  of 
splendid  edifices,  the  equals  of  which  the  world  may 
never  see  again. 

The  most  powerful  modern  kingdoms  of  Europe 
are  but  of  yesterday  compared  with  China.  While 
they  count  their  existence  by  hundreds,  she  reckons 
hers  by  thousands  of  years,  and  is  now  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a green  old  age  under  the  administration  of 
laws  founded  upon  the  precepts  of  her  sages. 


... 


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